Question

Translate the following into an algebraic expression: If it would take Mark m hours to clean the house alone and with his brother Sam they can clean the house together in t hours. How many hours would it have taken Sam if he was working alone?

Answer 1

s = t - m

Explanation:

Assuming s equals the amount of time it would take Sam, subtracting the amount of time it takes Mark from the time it takes them together would give you the time Sam would take since with Sam's help, the time would equal t hours. Then without Mark's help is how long it would take him.