John dances 3+5=<<3+5=8>>8 hours

John's total time is 3+5+1=<<3+5+1=9>>9 hours

James dances 9/3=<<9/3=3>>3 hours longer than that

So James dances 9+3=<<9+3=12>>12 hours

So the total dancing time is 8+12=<<8+12=20>>20 hours

# Answer

20
<|im_start|>system
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<|im_start|>user
John and James decided to have a dance-off.  John danced for 3 hours and then another 5 hours after taking a 1-hour break.  James danced the whole time John was dancing and resting, and then another 1/3 times more hours.  How long was their combined dancing time without including  John's break time?
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<|im_start|>assistant

user
20
John and James decided to have a dance-off.  John danced for 3 hours and then another 5 hours after taking a 1-hour break.  James danced the whole time John was dancing and resting, and then another 1/3 times more hours.  How long was their combined dancing time without including  John's break time?
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