Word Problem

Question

A private plane traveled from Seattle to a rugged wilderness, at an average speed of 240 mph. On the return trip, the average speed was 336 mph. If the total traveling time was 7 hours, how far is Seattle from the wilderness?

 

Seattle is ______ miles from the wilderness

Answer 1

Total distance = average speed * time. The total distance (the forward trip plus the return trip) is one-half and equal in distance between the forward and return trip. Thus,

 

0.5*240mph*t=0.5*336(7-t)

 

t=4.08 hours, the time taken by the forward trip traveled at 240 mph. Total distance = 240mph*4.08hrs. = 980 mi