Answer:
Ron: 6+2√5 days ≈ 10.47 days
Lee: 2+2√5 days ≈ 6.47 days
Step-by-step explanation:
Let L represent the number of days it takes Lee to frame a cabin. Then it take L+4 days for Ron to frame it. Working together, they take 4 days. Then their rates, in cabins per day, add up as ...
1/L + 1/(L+4) = 1/4
Multiplying by the product of denominators, we get ...
4(L+4) +4L = L(L+4)
Subtracting the left side gives ...
L^2 -4L -16 = 0
Completing the square, we can write this as ...
L^2 -4L +4 = 20
(L -2)^2 = 20
L = 2 + √20 = 2 +2√5 ≈ 6.47
Lee takes 2+2√5 ≈ 6.47 days to frame a cabin.
Ron takes 6+2√5 ≈ 10.47 days to frame a cabin.
