SOLUTION: Please help me solve this word problem? Alan and Dave leave from the same point driving in opposite directions, Alan driving at 55 miles per hour and Dave at 65 mph. Alan has a one

Question 789186: Please help me solve this word problem? Alan and Dave leave from the same point driving in opposite directions, Alan driving at 55 miles per hour and Dave at 65 mph. Alan has a one-hour head start. How long will they be able to talk on their car phones if the phones have a 250-mile range.
Test on Tuesday. Thanks for all your help.
Michael Armani
Found 2 solutions by rothauserc, josmiceli:
Answer by rothauserc(4718) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
we use rate * time = distance
Alan has a head start of one hour which equals 55 miles
250 - 55 = 195 miles
55t + 65t = 195
120t = 195
t = 1.625
so they will be able to talk for 1.625 +1 = 2.625 hours

Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You need an equation for Alan and an equation for Dave
You want to know when they are mi apart
-------------------
First, you want to know how much of a head start Alan has
Let = his head start

mi
---------------
Start a stopwatch when Dave leaves
Let = time on stopwatch when they are mi apart
Let = distance that Dave has traveled
when they are mi apart
= Alan's distance from starting point when
they are mi apart
-----------------------
Alan's equation:
(1)
( note that I had to subtract his head start )
Dave's equation:
(2)
---------------
Substitute (2) into (1)
(1)
(1)
(1) hrs
-------------------

They can talk for 1 hr 37 min 30 sec
-------------------
check:
(2)
(2)
(2)
and
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
OK

RELATED QUESTIONS
this is is kinda confusing, need your help guys. alan and dave leave from the same... (answered by ptaylor)
Alan and Dave leave from the same point driving in opposite directions, Alan driving at... (answered by giveback,josmiceli)
Alan and Dave Schaferkotter leave from the same point driving in opposite directions,... (answered by jojo14344)
Alan and Dave leave from the same point driving in opposite directions. Alan driving at... (answered by checkley77)
Alan and Allie leave from the same point driving in opposite directions. Alan is driving... (answered by Boreal)
Alan and Dave start at the same point and drive in opposite directions. Alan has one... (answered by tommyt3rd)
Micah and Alan both leave the restaurant at the same time, but in opposite directions. If (answered by Boreal)
Linda and Dave leave simultaneously from the same point biking in opposite directions.... (answered by stanbon)
Hello: please help me solved these word problems that i had to do for a math class. I... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)