Help With an Algebra Question?

Question

Charlie Brown left at 8a.m. and will arrive at 1p.m; Linus left at 8a.m. and will arrive at 2p.m. How many miles s the trip if Charlie Brown is traveling 10 miles per hours slower than Linus?

Answer 1

Charlie Brown travels s miles in 5 hours = s/5

 

5 hours at s/5 mph equals s miles (unsurprisingly)

 

Linus is traveling 10 miles per hour less = s/5 - 10

 

Linus is traveling 6 hours at this speed covering a distance of  = 6 (s/5 - 10)

 

The distance traveled for each is the same  s = 6 (s/5 -10)

 

s = 6/5 s - 60

1 - 6/5 s = -60

-1/5 s = -60

s = 300

 

confirm your work

 

Charlie Brown's distance/time    300mi/5hr  = 60mph

Linus Van Pelt's distance/time    300mi/6hr = 50mph

 

Difference between Charlie Brown's and Linus's speeds  60mph -50mph = 10 mph