Question

Jim began a 110​-mile bicycle trip to build up stamina for a triathlete competition.​ Unfortunately, his bicycle chain​ broke, so he finished the trip walking. The whole trip took 4 hours. If Jim walks at a rate of 5 miles per hour and rides at 41 miles per​ hour, find the amount of time he spent on the bicycle.

Answer 1

2.5 hours

Explanation:

Let's call the time Jim spent on his bike "t", in hours.

We know that the total time of the trip was 4 hours, so the time he spent walking was 4 - t.

We can use the formula:

distance = rate x time

to set up two equations based on the distances traveled while biking and walking:

Distance biked = rate biking x time biking = 41t

Distance walked = rate walking x time walking = 5(4 - t) = 20 - 5t

The total distance of the trip is 110 miles, so:

Distance biked + distance walked = 110

Substituting the equations for distance biked and walked:

41t + 20 - 5t = 110

36t = 90

t = 2.5

So Jim spent 2.5 hours on his bike.

Hope this helps!