SOLUTION: Soren had a 36 mile head start. If Eric caught him in 3 hrs, how fast was Eric traveling if his speed was 2x Sorens? I know D=RT. I assume they both went the same distance bec

Question 602880: Soren had a 36 mile head start. If Eric caught him in 3 hrs, how fast was Eric traveling if his speed was 2x Sorens?
I know D=RT. I assume they both went the same distance because Eric caught up. I made the equation 2 different ways. The first one was like this:
RT=RT
(Sorens RT)=(Erics RT) I came up with 1/2, and I know this is not right.
I then tried (Sorens RT)=(Erics RT)+36, and I get a -12. I am not sure what I am doing wrong. Can you please help me?
Thanks,
Sheila
Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, scott8148:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Soren's head start was mi
Start a stop watch when Eric leaves.
Let = distance that Eric travels
Let = Soren's speed
They will both travel for the same amount of time, hrs
until Soren is caught.
Soren's equation:
(1)
Eric's equation:
(2)
---------------
This is 2 equations and 2 unknowns, so it's solvable
Substitute (2) into (1)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Eric's speed is 24 mi/hr
check:
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
and
(2)
(2)
(2)
OK
Answer by scott8148(6628) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
"Soren had a 36 mile head start" ___ so they were not traveling the same distance

E * 3 = [(E/2) * 3] + 36

multiplying by 2 (to clear fraction) ___ 6E = 3E + 72
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