Problem Solving

sciencebod

Hi guys
Would really appreciate some help, no idea how to approach this problem.

Mary can clean her house in 2 hours. When Mick helps her, they can clean the house in 1 hour 15 minutes together. How long would it take Mick to clean the house by himself?

Thanks in advance

gammy_knees

Don't think I'm allowed to do the question for you but I'll give you the jist of what you'll need to do.
Work off the idea of calculating what fraction of the house will be cleaned per hour by Mary individually and then by both together. You'll probably then see what fraction Mick does per hour. And follow this idea; if 2/5ths of the house can be cleaned in one hour, it'll take 5/2 hours to clean the entire house (hope you can follow the fraction symbols).
Good hunting!

sciencebod

gammy_knees wrote: »

Don't think I'm allowed to do the question for you but I'll give you the jist of what you'll need to do.
Work off the idea of calculating what fraction of the house will be cleaned per hour by Mary individually and then by both together. You'll probably then see what fraction Mick does per hour. And follow this idea; if 2/5ths of the house can be cleaned in one hour, it'll take 5/2 hours to clean the entire house (hope you can follow the fraction symbols).
Good hunting!

Thank you so much gammy knees for your help. Even a push in the right direction helps.
Thanks again.

ray giraffe

Ah but when Mick's by himself he might not work as well as when the Missus is breathing down his neck... :P

gammy_knees

ray giraffe wrote: »

Ah but when Mick's by himself he might not work as well as when the Missus is breathing down his neck... :P

Revise previous answer. New Answer: Mick doesn't clean the house at all on his own!

sciencebod

gammy_knees wrote: »

Revise previous answer. New Answer: Mick doesn't clean the house at all on his own!

lol - thanks again for help gammy - think I have the answer :cool: