word problem

Question

two hikers are 13 miles apart and walking towards each other. they meet in two hours. find the rate of each hiker if one walks 1.7 mph faster than the other 

 

Answer 1

 The distance walked by both hikers is 13 miles.

 

Total Distance = 13

 

13 = distance of first hiker + distance of 2nd hiker

                 

 13 =      2*R                    +     2*(R+1.7) 

 

13 = 2R + 2R + 3.4

 

13 = 4R + 3.4

 

9.6 = 4R

 

R = 2.4

 

slower hiker walks 2.4 mph x 2 = 4.8 miles

faster hiker walks  4.1 mph x 2 = 8.2 miles

                               The total is 13.0 miles