A bird left its nest and traveled 20 mph for x hours. On the return trip, it traveled 4 mph slower and at the end of x hours still had 6 miles to go. Ho

Question

What is total distance of trip?

how long did the trip take in hours, minutes, seconds?

Answer 1

 distance = rate x time

 

 distance = 20 mph * X hr = 20 X miles

 

 return trip:

     distance = 16 mph * X hr + 6 miles = 16X + 6

 

They are the same:

 

  20X = 16X + 6

 

  4X = 6

 

  X = 6/4 = 3/2

 

 20 mph * 3/2 hr = 30 miles.

 

 On the return trip: 16 mph * 3/2 hr = 24 miles, which is 6 miles short of 30 mi.

 

The distance is 30 miles.

The bird flies all 30 miles in 3/2 hr = 1 and 1/2 hour = 1 hour 30 minutes.

On the return trip, the bird flies 24 miles in 1.5 hours, which is 6 miles short.