Question

Two cyclists start at the same point and travel in opposite directions. One cyclist travels 9 (mi)/(h) slower than the other. If the two cyclists are 156 miles apart after 4 hours, what is the rate of each cyclist?

Answer 1

It is given that the two cyclists started at the same point and traveled in opposite directions for 4 hours, at a distance of 156 meters apart.

It is also given that one cyclist travels 9 mi/h slower than the other.

It is required to find the speed or rate of each cyclist in mi/h.

Recall the formula for distance, d:

`d=s\cdot t`

Where s is the rate in mi/h and t is the time spent in hours.

Let the rate of the faster cyclist be x mi/h, it follows that the rate of the cyclist who is

9 mi/h slower is (x-9) mi/h.

Find the distance covered by the faster cyclist by substituting s=x and t=4 into the distance formula: