Expert: Sherman D. - 11/5/2006

Question
Hello Sherman, This problem is from the college entrance test, COMPASS. Here is a copy and paste form of it.

 If Sam can do a job in 4 days that Lisa can do in 6 days and Tom can do in 2 days, how long would the job take if Sam, Lisa, and Tom worked together to complete it?


  If you can figure this out and maybe show me how you got the answer I would appreciate it greatly.
 Thank you for your time.
      Josh

Answer
S = D/T

Distance in this case is the job

Ss = 1/4
Sl = 1/6
St = 1/2

(1/4) + (1/6) + (1/2)
(3/12) + (2/12) + (6/12)
(11/12)

1/T = (11/12)
T = (12/11)
T = about 1.09 or 1.1 days

Just to make sure i wasn't doing it wrong, because i'm not too good at word problem either, i looked it up.

http://purplemath.com/modules/workprob.htm