Teamwork is an efficient way to finish a job. Which project will take you longer - painting a building alone or sharing the duties with a friend?
Practice these Algebra word work problems. You will use distance, rate, and time to determine that two (or three) pairs of hands are better than one.
1. How Long Will it Take if 3 Teams Work Together
Team A, Team B, and Team C are working together to build a homecoming float. Independently, Team A requires ¼ of the time that it takes for Team B to build a float. Team B takes twice as long as Team C, which can build a float in 36 hours.
If Teams A, B, and C work together, then approximately how many hours will it take the groups to complete the float?
2. How Long Will it Take if Gene, Michael, and Janet Work Together
Gene, Michael, and Janet are choreographing a music video. When working alone, Gene takes 5 hours to do the job. On the other hand, Michael takes 4 hours to do the job, and Janet takes 10 hours to do the job.
If all 3 of the dance directors work together, then how many hours will it take them to choreograph the music video?
3. How Long Will it Take if Goldilocks and 2 Bears Work Together
Goldilocks, Mama Bear, and Papa Bear drive the the same 600 mile route to drop off Baby Bear at college. Goldilocks can drive Baby Bear to his new college in 8 hours. This same trip takes Mama Bear 8 hours and Papa Bear 12 hours.
If they all drive the same route, how long will the trip take if they take turns driving?
4. How Long Will it Take if Denise and Wanda Work Together
Rose, Denise, and Wanda are cooking gumbo. Rose can independently cook the gumbo in 14 hours; Denise, 24 hours; and Wanda, 18 hours.
What is the ratio of Rose working alone to Denise and Wanda working together?
5. How Long Will it Take if Janet and Michael Work Together
Gene, Michael, and Janet are choreographing a music video. Alone, Gene takes 8 hours to do the job, Michael takes 3 hours to do the job, and Janet takes 1 hour to do the job.
What is the ratio of Gene working alone to Michael and Janet working together?