Find the average mph

Question

Suppose that a cyclist begin at 589 mile ride across the state of the western edge of the state, at the same time that a car traveling toward it leaves the eastern end of the state. If the bicycle and Carmet after 9.5 hours in the car travel 33.6 mph faster than the bicycle, find the average rate of each

Answer 1

Let b = the rate of the bicycle. If they met, they together have totalled the 589 miles.

 

9.5(b + b + 33.6) = 589

2b + 33.6 = 62

2b = 28.4

b = 14.2

 

14.2 + 33.6 = 47.8

 

The bicycle averaged 14.2 mph and the car, 47.8 mph.