Question

At 10:00 a.m., two boys start out on their bikes to meet each other from towns located

68 miles apart. They meet at 1:00 p.m. If one boy traveled 3 miles per hour faster than
the other, what was the speed of each boy?

Answer 1

Answer: 9.833...

Explanation:

The boys traveled a combined 68 miles in 3 hours (difference between 10am and 1pm). This makes their combined speed equal to 68/3.

We can make this equation to model how that combined speed breaks down between them:

68 miles/3 hours = (3 + x) miles/1 hour + x miles/1 hour

To solve:

68/3 = (3 + x) + x

68 = (3 + 2x) * 3

68 = 9 + 6x

59/6 = x

9.833... = x

Answer 2

Below

Explanation:

From 10 am to 1 pm is three hours

the boys covered distance = 68 miles in 3 hours

x = rate1

x+3 = rate2

rate X time = distance

(x + x+3) X 3 = 68

6x+9 = 68

6x = 59

x = 9 5/6 mph then the other rate is x+3 = 12 5/6 mph