Question

Margaret drove to a business appointment at 90 mph. Her average speed on the return trip was 80 mph. The return trip took 1/4

hr longer because of heavy traffic. How far did she travel to the appointment?

Answer 1

Margaret traveled 180 miles to her appointment. We determined this by setting up equations for both the trip to and from the appointment and solving for the distance using her speed and the time difference due to traffic.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find out how far Margaret traveled to her appointment, we can set up two equations, one for each trip. The distance traveled is the same for both the trip to the appointment and the return trip.

• Let d be the distance to the appointment.

• Let t be the time it took to get to the appointment.

For the trip to the appointment at 90 mph:

• d = 90t

For the return trip at 80 mph, which took ¼ hour longer:

• d = 80(t + 1/4)

Solving these equations:

• 90t = 80(t + 1/4)

• 90t = 80t + 20

• 10t = 20

• t = 2 hours

Now, we calculate the distance:

• d = 90 * 2 = 180 miles

Therefore, Margaret traveled 180 miles to her appointment.

Answer 2

Distance = speed x time

Let the time to the appointment = x

The time home would be x + 1/4 hour

set up an equation you have 90x = 80(x + 1/4)

Simplify:

90x = 80x + 20

Subtract 80x from both sides:

10x = 20

Divide both sides by 10:

x = 2 hours

Distance = 90 x 2 = 180 miles