Question

Solve the following word problem. A man travels from town X to town Y at an average rate of 60 mph and returns at an average speed of 50 mph. He takes a 1/2 hour longer than he would take if he made the round trip at an average of 55 mph. What is the distance from town X to Y?

___ miles

Answer 1

d= 1650 miles

Explanation:

Answer 2

• d = 1650 miles

Explanation:

Let the distance be d

Then the time in travel is

• d/60 one way, d/50 on return

The round trip would take 1/2 hours longer if the average speed was 55 mph

• d/60 + d/50 = 2d/55 + 1/2
• d/60 + d/50 - 2d/55 = 1/2

LCM(60,50,55) = 11*12*5*5 = 3300

• 55d/3300 + 66d/3300 - 120d/3300 = 1/2
• d/3300= 1/2
• d = 1650 miles