Word problem using the distance formula

Question

Two boats leave the port at the same time, one traveling north and the other traveling south. The northbound boat travels at 12 miles per hour (mph) faster than the southbound boat. If the southbound boat is traveling at 25 mph, how long will it be before they are 155 miles apart?

Answer 1

For every hour that goes by, the southbound boat has traveled 25 miles ↓ and the northbound boat has gone 12 miles more than that which is 37 miles ↑.

 

So after one hour, these boats are (37 + 25) miles apart or 62 miles apart. 

 

x = the number of hours that go by

 

62x = 155   This equation shows that the amount of hours times the distance traveled by the boats has to equal 155

 

Divide both sides by 62

 

x = 2.5 hours