Answer:
Equation for solving:
12x = 240
Northbound car: 20 mph
Southbound car: 60 mph
Explanation:
Let the speed of the car traveling north be x mph
Then the speed of the car traveling south is 3x mph
In 3 hours(4pm-1pm) the distances covered are as follows
Northbound car: 3x miles
Southbound car 3 (3x) = 9x miles
The distance between them is 3x + 9x = 12x
since they are traveling in opposite directions
We are given that this distance is 240 miles
So 12x = 240
x = 20 mph
Northbound car was traveling at 20 mph
Southbound car was traveling at 60 mph
Equation for solving is 12x = 240