Story problem

Question

Ms. Smith rode the bus 720 miles in 3 days. On the first day she traveled three times as far as she did on the second day. On the third day she traveled twice a far as she did on the second day. How far did she travel each day?

Answer 1

Hi Amy--

 

Since Day 2 is the shortest day, let's call that one m for miles.

 

So that day is m, the first day is 3m because she went 3 times as far as the shortest day, and the 3rd day is 2m because she went twice as far as the shortest day.

 

So add all the m's together:

 

m, plus 2m, plus 3m, makes 6m, and they add up to 720 miles, so...

 

6m = 720, and therefore...

 

m = 120 miles. And...

 

If your shortest day was 120, you also had a 240 (for 2m) and you also had a 360 (for 3m). Those are your 3 days!

 

To double-check, you add them all up and you get...

 

720 miles! 

 

Hope this helps, and that it's not too late!

 

Matt in New York