Final answer:
Using the distance equation, Peter would travel 30 miles in 2 hours at a speed of 15 mph, which is option A, since Serena travels 15 mph faster, making her speed 30 mph.
Step-by-step explanation:
Peter and Serena start 5 miles apart and travel in opposite directions. If Peter travels at s mph, and Serena travels at s + 15 mph, then to find out how many miles Peter travels in 2 hours we will use the formula:
Distance = Speed × Time
The question asks for Peter's distance, so we ignore Serena's speed since they're traveling in opposite directions. Since the speed of Peter is not given, we don’t know the exact value of s. However, we don't need it because the question asks us to assume Peter's speed and provides options as possible distances he could have traveled. Given the time is 2 hours, we solve for each multiple-choice answer like this:
We are looking for the true speed of Peter without the additional 15 mph that Serena travels. Therefore, only the speed that leaves room for Serena's additional 15 mph will be correct. Looking at the options, if Peter's speed was 15 mph (Option A), then Serena's would be 15 + 15 = 30 mph, which seems reasonable. Hence, Peter would cover 30 miles in 2 hours, which is Option A.