document.write( "Question 252581: A backpacker hiking into the wilderness area walked 9 miles at a constant rate and then reduced this rate by 1 mph. Another 4 miles was hiked at this reduced rate. The time required to hike the 4 miles was 1 hour less than the time required to walk the 9 miles. Find the rate at which the hiker walked the first 9 miles. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #184583 by stanbon(75887)\"\" \"About 
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A backpacker hiking into the wilderness area walked 9 miles at a constant rate and then reduced this rate by 1 mph. Another 4 miles was hiked at this reduced rate. The time required to hike the 4 miles was 1 hour less than the time required to walk the 9 miles. Find the rate at which the hiker walked the first 9 miles.
\n" ); document.write( "-------
\n" ); document.write( "1st segment DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 9 miles ; rate = x mph ; time = d/r = 9/x hrs
\n" ); document.write( "--------------
\n" ); document.write( "2nd segment DATA:
\n" ); document.write( "distance = 4 miles ; rate = x-1 mph ; time = d/r = 4/(x-1) hrs
\n" ); document.write( "-------------------
\n" ); document.write( "Equation:
\n" ); document.write( "1st seg. time - 2nd seg. time = 1 hr
\n" ); document.write( "9/x - 4(x-1) = 1 hr
\n" ); document.write( "9(x-1) - 4x = x(x-1)
\n" ); document.write( "9x-9 - 4x = x^2-x
\n" ); document.write( "x^2 -6x +9 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "(x-3)^2 = 0
\n" ); document.write( "x = 3 mph (rate for the 1st segment)
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\n" ); document.write( "Cheers,
\n" ); document.write( "Stan H. \n" ); document.write( "
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