SOLUTION: A bus traveled on a straight road for 2 h at an average speed that was 20 mph faster than its average speed on a winding road. The time spent on the winding road was 3 h. Find the

Question 1048489: A bus traveled on a straight road for 2 h at an average speed that was 20 mph faster than its average speed on a winding road. The time spent on the winding road was 3 h. Find the average speed on the winding road if the total trip was 250 mi.
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, josmiceli:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39632) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Travel Rates Rule for constant rate, RT=D relates rate, time, distance.

RATE TIME DISTANCE STRAIGHT r+20 2 WINDING r 3 Total 250

Use the basic rule to fill the missing information in the table.

RATE TIME DISTANCE STRAIGHT r+20 2 WINDING r 3 Total 250

There is a sum to give you an equation, for the distance.

and as formulated here, the question asks for a solution of r.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let = distance in miles traveled on
the straight road
= distance in miles traveled on the
winding road
Let = speed in mi/hr on winding road
= speed in mi/hr on straight road
-------------------------------------------
Equation for straight road:
(1)
Equation for winding road:
(2)
--------------------------
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2)
(2)
(2)
The speed on the winding road was 42 mi/hr
-----------------
check:
(1)
(1) mi
and
(2)
(2)
(2) mi
OK

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