Math Work Problems - Two Persons

Work Problems are word problems that involve different people doing work together but at different rates. If the people were working at the same rate then we would use the Inversely Proportional Method instead.

The formula for “Work” Problems that involve two persons is

This formula can be extended for more than two persons. It can also be used in problems that involve pipes filling up a tank.

"Work" Problems: Two Persons

Example:

Peter can mow the lawn in 40 minutes and John can mow the lawn in 60 minutes. How long will it take for them to mow the lawn together?

Solution:

Step 1: Assign variables:

Let x = time to mow lawn together

Step 2: Use the formula:

Step 3: Solve the equation

The LCM of 40 and 60 is 120
Multiply both sides with 120

Answer: The time taken for both of them to mow the lawn together is 24 minutes.

The following video shows another example of algebra work problems.

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