Question

Last weekend, Isabella went on a 12-mile hike up Bald Mountain. It took her 3/8 of an hour to walk to first

3/4 of a mile up the mountain. After reaching the top, she returned by going down the mountain the same
way that she came. On the way down, it took her 2/9 of an hour to walk the final 2/3 of a mile of the trail.
What was the percentage that Isabella's rate of speed increased on the way down the mountain?

Answer 1

First, we need to calculate Isabella's rate of speed on the way up the mountain.

She covered 3/4 of a mile in 3/8 of an hour, which means her speed was:

(3/4) / (3/8) = 2 miles per hour

Now, we can calculate her rate of speed on the way down the mountain. She covered 2/3 of a mile in 2/9 of an hour, which means her speed was:

(2/3) / (2/9) = 3 miles per hour

To find the percentage increase, we need to calculate the difference between her speeds and divide by her initial speed:

(3 - 2) / 2 * 100% = 50%

Therefore, Isabella's rate of speed increased by 50% on the way down the mountain.