Question

Two cyclists, 80 miles apart, start riding towards each other at the same time. One cycles three times as fast as the other. If they meet four hours later what is the speed of the faster cyclist?

Answer 1

The speed of the faster cyclist is 15 miles per hour

Explanation:

Let the speed of the slower cyclist be x miles per hour

The speed of the faster is 3 times this

Mathematically, we have this as 3 * x miles per hour = 3x miles per hour

Now;

distance = speed * time

In 4 hours, the distance covered by the slower will be;

x * 4 = 4x miles

The faster;

3x * 4 = 12x miles

Since they are riding opposite each other, they would have covered a total distance of 80 miles when they meet

Thus, we have that;

12x + 4x = 80

16x = 80

x = 80/16

x = 5

The speed of the faster is;

3x miles per hour

Substitute the value of x here

That will be;

3 * 5 = 15 miles per hour