word problem algebra

Question

Omar biked from school to the park at an average speed of 9 miles per hour, and then biked back the same way at an average speed of 8 miles per hour. If the round trip took 1 hour, how many miles is Omar's one-way trip from school to the park?

Answer 1

distance = rate x time

 

T is the time in hours biking from school to the park.

 

distance = 9 x T = 9T

 

distance = 8 x (1 - t) = 8(1-T)

 

9T = 8(1-T)

 

9T = 8 - 8T

 

17T = 8

 

T = 8/17

 

Check:

   9 mph * (8/17) hours = 72/17 = 4 and 4/17 miles

 

  8 mph * (9/17) hours = 72/17 = 4 and 4/17 miles