An experienced accountant can balance the books twice as fast as a new accountant. Working together it takes the accountants 8 hours. How long would it take the experienced accountant working alone?
A) $16 \mathrm{hr}$
B) $4 \mathrm{hr}$
C) $20 \mathrm{hr}$
D) $12 \mathrm{hr}$

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Let the time taken by the experienced accountant alone be $x$ hours. Then, the new accountant takes $2x$ hours. Their combined rate is $\frac{1}{x} + \frac{1}{2x} = \frac{3}{2x}$. Given that together they take 8 hours, $\frac{3}{2x} = \frac{1}{8}$. Solving for $x$, we get $x = 12$ hours.

An Experienced Accountant Can Balance the Books Twice as Fast 16hr16 \mathrm{hr}16hr

An Experienced Accountant Can Balance the Books Twice as Fast $16 \mathrm{hr}$