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45 votes
45 votes
Two motorcyclist start at the same point and travel in opposite directions. One travels 8 miles an hour faster than the other. In 3 hours they are 288 miles apart how fast is each traveling

User Sorin Burghiu
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1 Answer

23 votes
23 votes

Answer:

One motorcycle was going 44 miles and hour and the other motorcycle was going 8 miles an hour faster, so it was going 52 miles per hour.

Explanation:

Distance = rate times time

Both motorcycles have a time of 3. We do not know the rates, but we know that one motorcycle's rate was 8 miles an hour faster. Let's call motorcycle 1's rate x then motorcycle 2's rate must be (x + 3)

Motorcycle 1

d = 3x

Motorcycle 2

d = 3(x +8)

We know that the total distance together is 288

3x + 3(x+8) = 288 Distribute the 3

3x + 3x + 24 = 288 Combine the 3's

6x + 24 = 288 Subtract 24 from both sides of the equation

6x = 264 Divide both sides by 6

x = 44

One motorcycle was going 44 miles and hour and the other motorcycle was going 8 miles an hour faster, so it was going 52 miles per hour.

User Michael Baldry
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