SOLUTION: The dreaded word problem. any help? thanks! Two hikers start from the same point and hike in opposite directions around a lake. The shoreline is 21 miles. One hiker walks .5

Algebra ->  Algebra  -> Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: The dreaded word problem. any help? thanks! Two hikers start from the same point and hike in opposite directions around a lake. The shoreline is 21 miles. One hiker walks .5       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com
Ad: Algebra Solved!™: algebra software solves algebra homework problems with step-by-step help!
Ad: Algebrator™ solves your algebra problems and provides step-by-step explanations!

   

Question 56439This question is from textbook college algebra
: The dreaded word problem. any help? thanks!
Two hikers start from the same point and hike in opposite directions around a lake. The shoreline is 21 miles. One hiker walks .5 pmh fast than the other hiker. How fast did each hiker walk if they meet in 3 hours?This question is from textbook college algebra

Answer by funmath(2873) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Math without application is just fun, it's not useful. Learn to appreciate useful word problems.
Two hikers start from the same point and hike in opposite directions around a lake. The shoreline is 21 miles. One hiker walks .5 mph faster than the other hiker. How fast did each hiker walk if they meet in 3 hours?
:
Let's think about this, if they are going in opposite directions around a 21 mile lake then you can add their distances to get 21 miles. The formula for distance is highlight%28d=rt%29, where d=distance, r=rate, and t=time.
Both of their t=3
One's rate is:r
The other's rate is:r+.5
The equation to solve is:
3r+3(r+.5)=21
3r+3r+1.5=21
6r+1.5=21
6r+1.5-1.5=21-1.5
6r=19.5
6r/6=19.5/6
r=3.25
One went about 3.25 mph
The other went about 3.25+.5=3.75 mph
Happy Calculating!!!