Two cyclists start at the same point and travel in opposite directions. One cyclist travels 6 kmh slower than the other. If the two cyclists are 150 kilometers apart after 3 hours, what is the rate of each cyclist?

Solution

Tw o cyc l i s t s s t a r t a t t h e s am e p o in t an d t r a v e l in o pp os i t e d i rec t i o n s . O n e cyc l i s t t r a v e l s 6 kmh s l o w er t han t h e o t h er . I f t h e tw o cyc l i s t s a re 150 ki l o m e t ers a p a r t a f t er 3 h o u rs, w ha t i s t h e r a t e o f e a c h cyc l i s t ?

first cyclis t^{'} s speed : 22

second cyclis t^{'} s speed : 28

Solution steps

Translate the problem into an equation:

x \cdot 3 + (x + 6) \cdot 3 = 150

Solve for

x, x \cdot 3 + (x + 6) \cdot 3 = 150 : x = 22

Find speed

first cyclis t^{'} s speed : 22

second cyclis t^{'} s speed : 28