Question

Steven can mow the lawn in 40 minutes and Michelle can mow the lawn in 60 minutes. How long will it take for them to mow the lawn together? PLEASE HELP ASAP

Answer 1

Time taken by Steven to mow = 40 mins

So, in 1 min Steven will mow = 1/40 lawn

Time taken by Michelle to mow = 60 mins

So, in 1 min Michelle will mow = 1/60 lawn

Now, in 1 min both will mow = 1/40 + 1/60

3/120 + 2/120 = 5/120 = 1/24

So, in 1 min both will mow 1/24 lawn

Therefore, both will mow the lawn in 24 mins.

Answer 2

The time taken for Steven and Michelle to mow the lawn together is 24 minutes.

Formula for time taken (T) to do a certain work, when 2 different people take time T1 and T2 to do it together, is given as follows:

(1/T) = (1/T1) + (1/T2)

Therefore, substituting values, (1/T) = (1/40) + (1/60) = 24 minutes