Expert: Sherman D. - 8/26/2004

Question
I'm so sorry, but I sent you my answer to the question that I wanted to email you! I'm very embarrased and i apologize the confusion...

Question:
Working alone, Fritz can build a bookcase in 8 hours and Holly can build the same bookcase in 10 hours. After working together for 3 hours, Frits had to leave. How long will it take Holly to complete the bookcase by herself?



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Followup To
Question -
Hi Sherman. I'd appreciate if you could take me throgh the steps to solve the following queston.
Thank you in advance...
Ang-sui

Question:
Fritz did 3/8 of the job, so Holly will do 5/8 of the whole job. Her total time will be 5/8 * 10
Subtract the 3 hours she has already worked to find the remaining time.

Answer -
so you are saying that

Fritz did (3/8)x
x being the whole job

and

Holly did (5/8)x

and the entire work took 10 hours

so

Holly = (5/8) * 10 = 6 hours and 15 minutes

Fritz = (3/8) * 10 = 3 hours and 45 minutes

That is what i got.

by the Subtract 3 hours you are saying that she has already worked 3 hours and if you are refering to Fritz as she, then the answer is 45 minutes.

Answer
since i am not certain what you are talking about when you said "Subtract the 3 hours she has already worked to find the remaining time."

here is what i can tell you

You said Holly's total time is (5/8) * 10, which is 6 hours and 15 minutes since according to the statement she only did (5/8) of the work and it took both of them together to do it in 10 hours, so

(3/8) * 10 = 3 hours 45 minutes
(5/8) * 10 = 6 hours and 15 minutes

now if by Subtract 3, you are talking about Holly, then the answer is 3 hours and 15 minutes instead of 45 minutes, because i believe Fritz is a guys name not a girls name.