Two companies working together can clear a parcel of land in 26 hours. Working alone, it would take Company A 10 hours longer to clear the land than it would Company B. How long would it take Company B to clear the parcel of land alone? (Round your answer to the nearest tenth.)
We will define the following variables to solve the problem: x = number of hours worked by company A y = number of hours worked by company B We define the following system of equations: x + y = 26 x = y + 10 Solving the system we have: x + y = 26 (y + 10) + y = 26 2y + 10 = 26 y = (26-10) / 2 y = 16/2 y = 8 We solve for x: x = 8 + 10 x = 18 Answer: it would take the company B to clear the parcel of land alone about 8 hours.
