document.write( "Question 43929This question is from textbook elementry and intermediate algebra
\n" ); document.write( ": please help with this problem:
\n" ); document.write( " On a bicycle trip,Maria averaged 5 miles per hour faster for the first 60 miles than she did for the last 75 miles. The entire trip took 8 hours. Find her rate for the first 60 miles.
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Algebra.Com's Answer #28862 by adamchapman(301)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Write what we already know in equation form.
\n" ); document.write( "Let's use these symbols for our unknown variables:
\n" ); document.write( "x=rate for first 60 miles
\n" ); document.write( "y=rate for last 75 miles\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "We know from the question that x=y+5,
\n" ); document.write( "rearranging gives y=x-5\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "time = distance/speed
\n" ); document.write( "We know that the total time spent was 8 hours, so we can write:
\n" ); document.write( "8 = (60/x) + (75/y)
\n" ); document.write( "If we substitute y=x-5, we get:
\n" ); document.write( "8 = (60/x) + (75/(x-5))
\n" ); document.write( "multiplying both sides by (x-5):
\n" ); document.write( "8(x-5)=(60(x-5)/x)+75
\n" ); document.write( "multiplying both sides by (x):
\n" ); document.write( "8x(x-5)=60(x-5)+75x
\n" ); document.write( "rearranging:
\n" ); document.write( "8x^2-40x=60x-300+75x
\n" ); document.write( "8x^2-175x+300=0
\n" ); document.write( "using the quadratic solver: \"x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29+\" ;
\n" ); document.write( "x=1.875 or x=20
\n" ); document.write( "y is 5 less than x (y=x-5), and if x was 1.85, Maria would be cycling backwards for the second part of her journey!
\n" ); document.write( "Logic tells us that x must be 20 mph, implying that y=15mph\r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I hope this helps. If you have any other problems, please dont hesitate to contact me at adam.chapman@student.manchester.ac.uk \r
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