Question

Two companies working together can clear a parcel of land in 26 hours. Working alone, it would take Company A 10 hours longer to clear the land than it would Company B. How long would it take Company B to clear the parcel of land alone? (Round your answer to the nearest tenth.)

Answer 1

We will define the following variables to solve the problem:
x = number of hours worked by company A
y = number of hours worked by company B
We define the following system of equations:
x + y = 26
x = y + 10
Solving the system we have:
x + y = 26
(y + 10) + y = 26
2y + 10 = 26
y = (26-10) / 2
y = 16/2
y = 8
We solve for x:
x = 8 + 10
x = 18
Answer:
it would take the company B to clear the parcel of land alone about 8 hours.