Question

A family drove from just south of Pittsburgh to Meadville, Pennsylvania at 55 miles per hour and returned the same route traveling only 40 miles an hour due to the icy conditions. The total travel time was 4.75 hours. Find the distance one way.

Answer 1

The family traveled a one-way distance of 110 miles from just south of Pittsburgh to Meadville, Pennsylvania, at different speeds due to icy conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the distance one way from just south of Pittsburgh to Meadville, Pennsylvania, we can use the formula distance = speed × time. Since the family traveled at different speeds for the round trip due to icy conditions, we'll have to set up two separate equations for each leg of the journey.

Let d represent the one-way distance. The time taken to drive to Meadville at 55 miles per hour is d / 55, and the time to return at 40 miles per hour is d / 40. The sum of these times is given as 4.75 hours.

So, the equation is d / 55 + d / 40 = 4.75. To solve for d, find a common denominator and add the fractions. This leads to the equation (40d + 55d) / (55 × 40) = 4.75. Simplifying, we get 95d / 2200 = 4.75, and further d = (4.75 × 2200) / 95.

Calculating this, we find that d, the one-way distance to Meadville, is 110 miles.