standard_description: Rewrite simple rational expressions in different forms; write a(x)/b(x) in the form q(x) + r(x)/b(x), where a(x), b(x), q(x), and r(x) are polynomials with the degree of r(x) less than the degree of b(x), using inspection, long division, or, for the more complicated examples, a computer algebra system.
problem_activity: Problem 1
Working together, it takes Sam, Jenna, and Francisco 2 hours to paint one room. When Sam is working alone, he can paint one room in 6 hours. When Jenna works alone, she can paint one room in 4 hours. Describe how long it would take Francisco to paint one room on his own.
Problem 2
Jamie and Ralph take a canoe trip up a river for 1 mile and then return. The current in the river is 1 mile per hour. The total trip time is 2 hours and 24 minutes. Assuming that they are paddling at a constant rate throughout the trip, find the speed that Jamie and Ralph are paddling. When Jamie and Ralph are paddling WITH the current (one way of their trip), their speed is
$${x+1}$$
. When Jamie and Ralph are paddling AGAINST the current (the other way of their trip), their speed is
$${x-1}$$
.


aligns: yes