Question

Maeve can paint a room in 3 hours, and Maura can paint an identical room in 5 hours. How many hours would it take both of them to paint 1 room if they work together at their respective rates? ​

Answer 1

1.875 hours

Explanation:

1/a + 1/b = 1/c where a and b are the times alone and c is the time together

1/3 + 1/5 = 1/c

Multiply by 15c to clear the fractions

15c(1/3 + 1/5 = 1/c)

5c+3c = 15

8c = 15

Divide by 8

8c/8 = 15/8

c = 1.875 hours