SOLUTION: Write a system of two equations in two unknowns. Spike averaged 45 mph driving from Rochester to Syracuse and 49 mph driving from Syracuse to Albany. If he drove a total of 237 m

Question 298812: Write a system of two equations in two unknowns.
Spike averaged 45 mph driving from Rochester to Syracuse and 49 mph driving from Syracuse to Albany. If he drove a total of 237 miles in 5 hours, then how far is it from Syracuse to Albany?
Answer by Stitch(470) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Set-Up:
-----------
Equation 1:
Equation 2:
Solution:
------------
Solve for one of teh variables in equation 1. I picked X
Equation 1:

Now plug (5 - Y) into equation 2 for X
Equation 2:
Simplify
Combine like terms
Subtract 225 from both sides
Divide both sides by 4

To find X, plug 3 into equation 1 for Y
Equation 1:

Note that X & Y are variables for time. To find the distance you need to multiply the time by the rate.
It took 3 hours to drive from Syracus to Albany at a speed of 49mph

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