Question

Mr. Boll can pick a bale of cotton by hand in five days. If his son John joins him in the work they can pick a bale in three days. How long would the son take to do the job?

Answer 1

1/2 days (15/2)

Days needed to complete full job:
Mr. Boll = 5 days
Son = x days
Together = 3 days

Amount of job completed per day:
Mr. Boll = 1/5 of bale
Son = 1/x of bale
Together = 1/3 of bale

Equation:
1/5 + 1/x = 1/3
1/x = 5/15 - 3/15
1/x = 2/15
1 = (2/15)x
x = 15/2

This is just like trying to find the x just have to figure the part out hope this help

Answer 2

7 1/2 days.

Days needed to complete full job: Mr. Boll = 5 days Son = x days Together = 3 days
Amount of job completed per day: Mr. Boll = 1/5 of bale Son = 1/x of bale Together = 1/3 of bale
Equation: 1/5 + 1/x = 1/3 1/x = 5/15 - 3/15 1/x = 2/15 1 = (2/15)x x = 15/2 <=>