Create a word problem on Algebraic Expressions and Measurement (grade 10)

Frank can build a fence in twice the time it would take Sandy. Working together, they can build it in 7 hours. How long will it take each of them to do it alone?

Answer

If Frank and Sandy can build the fence in 7 hours, they must be building

1

7

of the fence every hour.

Now, let the amount of time it takes Sandy be

x

hours so that Frank takes

2

x

hours. Sandy can build

1

x

of the fence every hour and Frank can build

1

2

x

of the fence every hour.

We now have the following equation to solve.

1

x

+

1

2

x

=

1

7

2

+

1

2

x

=

1

7

21

=

2

x

x

=

21

2

=

10.50

Thus, Sandy takes

10.50

hours and Frank takes

21

hours.