Question

What were Malcolm's and Ravi's maximum speeds?

Answer 1

Malcom's maximum speed = 200 km/h

Ravi's maximum speed = 320 km/h

Explanation:

Represent the maximum speed of Malcolm and Ravi with equation as follows:

Let Malcom's speed be x, and Ravi's speed by y.

The average of speed is said to be 260 km/h. An equation to represent this is:
`(x + y)/(2) = 260`

`x + y = 260*2`

`x + y = 520` => equation 1.

We are also told that when Malcom's speed (x) is doubled it equal 80 km/hr more than Ravi's speed (y). An equation can be created for this, which is
`2x = y + 80`

`2x - y = 80` => equation 2

Now that we have 2 equations as a system, solve for the values of x and y simultaneously.

Add both equations together to eliminate y

`x + y = 520`

`2x - y = 80`

`3x = 600`

`x = (600)/(3)`

`x = 200`

Plug in the value of x into equation 1 to find y.

`200 + y = 520`

`y = 520 - 200`

`y = 320`

Malcom's maximum speed = x = 200 km/h

Ravi's maximum speed = y = 320 km/h