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Two birds leave their nest, flying in opposite directions looking for food. One bird flies 10 miles per hour faster than the

other. After 4 hours they are 60 miles apart. How fast are they each flying?
10 mph and 20 mph
15 mph and 25 mph
2.5 mph and 12.5 mph
7.5 mph and 17.5 mph

User John X
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1 Answer

5 votes

Answer: Choice C) 2.5 mph and 12.5 mph

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Work Shown:

x = speed of slower bird

x+10 = speed of faster bird (flying 10 mph faster)

speeds are in miles per hour (mph)

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After 4 hours, the slower bird has traveled 4x miles. Let A = 4x.

After 4 hours, the faster bird has traveled 4(x+10) = 4x+40 miles. Let B = 4x+40.

The distance between them after 4 hours is A+B = 4x+4x+40 = 8x+40

Set this equal to 60, which is the given distance they are apart after 4 hours, and solve for x

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8x+40 = 60

8x+40-40 = 60-40

8x = 20

8x/8 = 20/8

x = 20/8

x = (5*4)/(2*4)

x = 5/2

x = 2.5 is the speed of the slower bird

x+10 = 2.5+10 = 12.5 is the speed of the faster bird

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After 4 hours, the bird traveling 2.5 mph travels 4*2.5 = 10 miles

After 4 hours, the bird traveling 12.5 mph travels 4*12.5 = 50 miles

This leads to a distance between them of 10+50 = 60 miles

See the attached image below.

Two birds leave their nest, flying in opposite directions looking for food. One bird-example-1
User Alexisvt
by
6.3k points