Biking at a constant rate, with the wind it takes 2.8 hours to travel 56 miles biking against the wind it takes 5 hours. with no wind how fast was he biking

Question

quadratic equation

distance, rate, time

Answer 1

Mariana,

If we find his rate with the wind and his rate against the wind, we can average them to find his rate with no wind. We could also set it up as a pair of equations to combine for the solution as shown:

 

With:       B + W = 56mi/2.8hr = 20 mph

Against:   B - W = 56mi/5hr = 11.2 mph

            ------------------------------------------

                 2B = 31.2

                   B = 15.6 mph