# Need help with this word problem

#### Charlikatherine

##### New member
Doug and Dan can fill 60 orders in 3 hours. How long will it take to fill 85 orders?

#### Otis

##### Elite Member
Hello Charlikatherine. How did you begin? We have this relationship:

Hourly Rate × Hours = Orders Filled

I would begin by calculating how many orders Doug and Dan fill per hour. That's their hourly rate. (Let us know, if you need help calculating that rate.)

I could then define a variable, to represent the unknown hours:

Let t = the hours that Doug and Dan worked

Using the hourly rate, the variable t, and the number of orders filled, I could then write an equation to solve for t.

(hourly rate) (t) = 85

Please show any work that you can, if you would like more help. Or, ask specific questions, if you get stuck. Thanks.

#### Dr.Peterson

##### Elite Member
Doug and Dan can fill 60 orders in 3 hours. How long will it take to fill 85 orders?
There are several ways you might solve problems like this. Another is to write and solve a proportion, 60:3 = 85:x or another like it.

If you tell us what methods you have learned, we can help you apply them.

#### Jomo

##### Elite Member
Figure out what to multiply 60 by to get 85. Then multiply 3 by that number.

#### Subhotosh Khan

##### Super Moderator
Staff member
Doug and Dan can fill 60 orders in 3 hours. How long will it take to fill 85 orders?
Doug and Dan can fill 60 orders in 3 hours (= 180 minutes) $$\displaystyle \to$$

Doug and Dan takes 180 minutes fill 60 orders $$\displaystyle \to$$

Doug and Dan takes [?] minutes fill [60/60 =] 1 order $$\displaystyle \to$$

Doug and Dan takes [?] minutes fill [1 * 85 =] 85 orders