Question

Gary and his assistant can rake the sand on a beach volleyball court together in 24 minutes. If his assistant could do it alone in one hour, how quickly could Gary rake the court by himself?

Answer 1

Answer: 40 minutes

Step-by-step explanation: The two of them could rake it in 24 minutes

Let x represent the minute the assistant can work alone and y represent the minutes Gary can work alone

Let the job required to be done be 1, then Gary can rake 1/y and the assistant can rake 1/x

i.e 1/x + 1/ y = 1/24

substituting the time it will take the assistant

⇒ 1/60 + 1/y = 1/24

1/y = 1/24 - 1/60

1/y = 1/40

therefore y = 40 minutes

i.e it will take Gary 40 minutes