Why does total work equal half the combined mass times velocity squared?

[elementG]

General "Work" question

I was just wondering how can W_total = 1/2(m₁+m₂)v²?

 

[Hootenanny]

I was just wondering how can W_total = 1/2(m₁+m₂)v²?

Perhaps if your explained a little more about the circumstances, we could help you out, because in general the above equation is not true.