SOLUTION: A consultant traveled 8 hours to attend a meeting. The return trip took only 7 hours because the speed was 3 miles per hour faster. What was the consultant's speed each way?

Question 103755: A consultant traveled 8 hours to attend a meeting. The return trip took only 7 hours because the speed was 3 miles per hour faster. What was the consultant's speed each way?
Answer by oberobic(2304) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Distance = Rate * Time
dist = rate*time
So we have 3 items to solve for each direction, starting with what we know.
dist1 = rate1 * time1
dist2 = rate2 * time2
We know that time1=8 and that time2=7. These were given.
We know the distance to and from are equal, so dist1 = dist2. We can just call that d.
We can call rate1 x.
We were told rate2 was 3 mph faster, so that x+3.
We can combine these to write:
x * 8 = d
(x+3) * 7 = d
So,
8x = 7x + 21
Subtracting 7x from both sides:
x = 21
So the speed (rate) going to the meeting was 21.
The speed (rate) coming back from the meeting was x+3=24.
ALWAYS check!
8(21)=7(24)
168=168
Check!
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