Two buses leave towns 264 mi apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One bus travels 14 mi/h slower than the other. If they meet in 2 hours, what is the rate of each bus?

Answer 1

It is important to know the rate x time = distance formula for this problem.

Bus 1 is traveling at the rate of x for 2 hours. So, the distance Bus 1 travels is 2x.

Bus 2 is traveling at the rate of x-14 for 2 hours. So, the distance Bus 2 travels is 2(x-14).

Since the meet after 2 hours, the buses will have covered the entire 264 miles. So, the total distance traveled is 264. You can set up the equation:

2x + 2(x-14) = 264

Solve for x.

2x + 2x - 28 = 264

4x = 292

x = 73

So Bus 1 has a rate of 73 miles per hour.

Bus 2 has a rate of 59 miles per hour (73 - 14).