SOLUTION: Smith travels 45 miles going East from the center of the town and Jones travels 70 miles going West from the same point. If Jones averages 5 miles per hour more than Smith and his

Question 209401: Smith travels 45 miles going East from the center of the town and Jones travels 70 miles going West from the same point. If Jones averages 5 miles per hour more than Smith and his trip took � hour longer than Smith�s. How fast was each of them traveling?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Smith travels 45 miles going East from the center of the town and Jones travels
70 miles going West from the same point.
If Jones averages 5 miles per hour more than Smith and his trip took � hour
longer than Smith�s.
How fast was each of them traveling?
:
Let s = Smith's speed
then
(s+5) = Jones speed
:
Write a time equation: Time =
:
Jones time = Smith's time + half hour
= +
Multiply equation by 2s(s+5), results
2s(70) = 45(2(s+5)) + s(s+5)
:
140s = 90s + 450 + s^2 + 5s
:
Arrange as a quadratic equation
0 = -140s + 90s + 5s + 450 + s^2
:
s^2 - 45s + 450 = 0
:
Factors to
(s-30)(s-15) = 0
:
Two valid solutions
s = 30 mph
s = 15 mph
:
;
Check solution using 15 mph
= +
3.5 = 3 + .5
:
You can check it using s = 30 mph

RELATED QUESTIONS
Smith travels 45 miles going East from the center of the town and Jones travels 70 miles... (answered by josmiceli)

Smith travels 45 miles going East from the center of the town and jones travels 70 miles... (answered by mananth,checkley77)

1- a six passanger plane cruises at 180 mph in calm air. If the plane flies 7 miles with... (answered by Nate,ankor@dixie-net.com)

Ride the peaks. Smith bicycled 45 miles going east from Durango, and Jones bicycled 70... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

REPOST: Ride the peaks. Smith bicycled 45 miles going east from Durango, and Jones... (answered by 303795)

Ride the peaks. Smith bicycled 45 miles going east from Durango, and Jones bicycled 70... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

Smith bicycled 45 miles going east from Durango and Jones bicycled 70 miles. Jones... (answered by stanbon)

Smith bicycled 45 miles going east from Durango, and Jones bicycled 70 miles. Jones... (answered by uma)

Smith bicycled 45 miles going east from Dallas, and Jones bicycled 70 miles. Jones avgd... (answered by stanbon)