Word problem help

Question

Two cars, which are 636 miles apart and whose speeds differ by 2 miles per hour, are moving toward each other. If they meet in 6 hours, find the speed of each car

Answer 1

Let r= the rate of one of the cars.  Then the distance it travels in 6 hr is 6r.

 

The other car's rate is r+2, so the distance it travels in 6 hr is 6(r+2) or 6r+12.

 

The combined distance covered by both cars is 636 miles.

 

So,  6r+6r+12=636

       12r=624

        r=52

 

Thus, one car is traveling at 52 mph and the other at 54 mph.