SOLUTION: Two runners start from the same point at the same time. They will be 4 miles apart at the end of two hours if running in the same direction, and they will be 16 miles apart at the

Question 272228: Two runners start from the same point at the same time. They will be 4 miles apart at the end of two hours if running in the same direction, and they will be 16 miles apart at the end of one hour if running in opposite directions. Find their speeds.
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Two runners start from the same point at the same time.
They will be 4 miles apart at the end of two hours if running in the same direction,
and they will be 16 miles apart at the end of one hour if running in opposite directions.
Find their speeds.
:
Let x = speed of the faster runner
Let y = speed of the slower
:
Write a distance equation for each scenario
:
2(x - y) = 4; running the same direction
simplify, divide by 2
x - y = 2
and
1(x + y) = 16; running opposite directions
:
Add the two equations
x - y = 2
x + y = 16
-------------addition eliminates y, find x
2x = 18
x = 9 mph is the faster runner
then
9 + y = 16
y = 16 - 9
y = 7 mph is the slower runner
:
:
Check solution in the two equations
2(9 - 7) = 4
and
1(9 + 6) = 16

RELATED QUESTIONS
Two runners start from the same point at the same time. They will be 4 kilometers apart... (answered by lwsshak3)

2. Two runners start at the same point and run in opposite directions. One runs at 6... (answered by mananth)

would like some help with this question. two in-line skates, neil and kristin, start... (answered by mananth)

From the same spot, two runners start running toward opposite directions along the same... (answered by ikleyn)

Two runners start at the same time and proceed in opposite directions at the rates of... (answered by rfer)

alice and bonnie start running at the same time from the same point and run in the same... (answered by stanbon,ewatrrr)

Two runners start running laps at the same time, from the same starting position. George... (answered by checkley77)

two runners start running laps at the same time, from the same starting position. george... (answered by edjones)

Two runners leave from the same location traveling in opposite directions. The first... (answered by ewatrrr)