Can you show me how to solve?

Question

Ruth was hauling a wide load out of Portland. At 7:00 a.m. she headed north from exit 102 at an average speed of 35 mph. Micheal headed north from the same exit at 9:00 a.m. in his Pontiac. By 3:00 p.m. the same day Micheal was 20 miles ahead of Ruth. What was Micheal's average speed?

Answer 1

Ruth traveled for 8 hours at 35 mph, i.e. 280 miles.

 

Michael traveled for 6 hours and went 300 miles (20 miles more than Ruth).

 

Michael's rate was, therefore, 300/6 = 50 mph.

 

P.S. I spelled it Michael, which is the more usual spelling...sorry, if that was incorrect.