Two hikers are 8.2 miles apart and begin walking toward each other, and finally meet in 2 hours. One of them walked 0.5 miles per hour faster than the other. How fast did each of them walk?
2007-07-01 10:39:41 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
If the slower one walked at x mi/hr, then the faster one walked at x + 0.5 mi/hr. They are approaching each other at 2x + 0.5 mi/hr.
To cover 8.2 miles between them takes 8.2 / (2x + 0.5) hr.
Therefore:
8.2 / (2x + 0.5) = 2
2x + 0.5 = 8.2 / 2 = 4.1
2x = 3.6
x = 1.8.
They therefore walked at 1.8 and 1.8 + 0.5 = 2.3 mph.
2007-07-01 10:45:57 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let v is the speed of the slower hiker's. Thus v+0.5 is the speed of the faster hiker's.
Balance by the total distance they walked toward each other in 2 hours,
2v + 2(v+0.5) = 8.2
Solve for v,
v = 1.8 mph
v+0.5 = 2.3 mph
2007-07-01 17:46:44 · answer #2 · answered by sahsjing 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
let x be the speed of one hiker. x + .5 is the speed of the other.
Since they walk toward each other, when they meet, their distances will add up to 8.2 miles
2x + 2(x + .5) = 8.2
2x + 2x + 1 = 8.2
4x = 7.2
x = 1.8 mile/hr
the other hiker walks at 1.8 + .5 = 2.3 miles/hr
2007-07-01 17:52:37 · answer #3 · answered by 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are several approaches. This one is pretty easy to follow... I think...
d (distance) = r (rate of travel, or speed) t (time, or duration of travel)
d=rt
You REALLY ought to commit that one to memory... you'll use it a lot.
If the slowest guy walks x mph, in two hours he travels 2x miles.
The faster guy walks (x+.5) mph. In two hours he travels 2(x+.5), or 2x + 1 miles
Together they travel 8.2 miles, so
2x+2x+1=8.2
Doing a little arithmetic
4x + 1 = 8.2
Solve for x… that’s the speed of the slower guy…
Add 0.5 to x to get the speed of the faster guy.
2007-07-01 18:05:23 · answer #4 · answered by gugliamo00 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
x= speed of1st hiker
x+0.5 = speed of 2nd hiker
2x + 2(.5+x) = 8.2
2x +1 +2x =8.2
4x = 7.2
x = 1.8 mph for 1st hiker
x+.5= 2.3mph for faster hiker
2007-07-01 17:47:04 · answer #5 · answered by ironduke8159 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋