Combined Rates: The Trick

Hello! Here is an illustration to help you remember the trick Mr. Ragent taught us for combined rate problems.

These are the steps written out:

1. Create a diamond. One rate goes on the left and the other rate goes on the right.

2. Fill in the diamond. What the two rates multiply to, goes on top. What the two rates add up to, goes on the bottom.

3. Now you have a fraction. In the case of the picture, you would have 24/10 (6*4=24, 6+4=10). This is how many units it would take them if the worked together. So in this case it is 24/10 hours.

4. If you can simplify the fraction. 24/10 simplifies to: 2 and 4/10 hours. (I think.)

I hope this was helpful!