two cyclists leave towns 185 miles apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One cyclist travels 9 miles per hour faster than the other. If they meet in 5 hours, what is the rate of each cyclists?

Solution

tw o cyc l i s t s l e a v e t o w n s 185 mi l es a p a r t a t t h e s am e t im e an d t r a v e l t o w a r d e a c h o t h er . O n e cyc l i s t t r a v e l s 9 mi l es p er h o u r f a s t er t han t h e o t h er . I f t h ey m ee t in 5 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 s ?

first cyclis t^{'} s speed : 23

second cyclis t^{'} s speed : 14

Solution steps

Translate the problem into an equation:

x \cdot 5 + (x - 9) \cdot 5 = 185

Solve for

x, x \cdot 5 + (x - 9) \cdot 5 = 185 : x = 23

Find speed

first cyclis t^{'} s speed : 23

second cyclis t^{'} s speed : 14