document.write( "Question 187902: Two people are 3 ½ miles apart and walking towards each other. Their uniform walking rates differ by 1 mph. They will meet in ½ hour. What is the uniform rate of slower walker? How much of the distance will he/she travel? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #140894 by ptaylor(2198)\"\" \"About 
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\n" ); document.write( "Distance(d) equals Rate(r) times Time(t) or d=rt; r=d/t and t=d/r
\n" ); document.write( "Let r=rate of slower walker
\n" ); document.write( "Then r+1=rate of faster walker
\n" ); document.write( "Distance slower walker walks=r*(1/2)
\n" ); document.write( "Distance faster walker walks=(r+1)*(1/2)\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now the above two distances must add up to 3.5 mi, so:
\n" ); document.write( "0.5r+0.5(r+1)=3.5 get rid of parens
\n" ); document.write( "0.5r+0.5r+0.5=3.5 subtract 0.5 from each side
\n" ); document.write( "0.5r+0.5r+0.5-0.5=3.5-0.5 collect like terms
\n" ); document.write( "r=3 mph----------------------rate of the slower walker
\n" ); document.write( "In 1/2 hour the slower walker will walk (1/2)*3=1.5 mi
\n" ); document.write( "r+1=3+1=4 mph-----------------rate of faster walker\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "CK\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "0.5*3+0.5*4=3.5
\n" ); document.write( "1.5+2=3.5
\n" ); document.write( "3.5=3.5\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Hope this helps---ptaylor
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