document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=71530>Question 71530</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> a motorboat leaves the harbour and travels at an average speed of 9mph toward a small island. Two hours later a cabin cruiser leaves the same harbour and travels at an average speed of 12 mph toward the same island. In how many hours  after the cabin cruiser leaves the harbour will it be alongside the motorboat? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #51164 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ptaylor><B>ptaylor(2198)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-13.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=ptaylor><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=ptaylor><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=51164\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <BR>\n" );
document.write( "Let x= number of hours 'till the motorboat and cruiser will be alongside\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Distance(d)=rate(r) times time(t) or d=rt\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "rate for motorboat=9 mph<BR>\n" );
document.write( "rate for cruiser=12 mph\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "When they have both traveled the same distance, they will be alongside\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Distance motorboat travels=18+9x  (remember, motorboat had a 2 hour head start)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Distance cruiser travels=12x\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "So our equation to solve is:\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "18+9x=12x  subtract 9x from both sides<BR>\n" );
document.write( "18+9x-9x=12x-9x collect like terms<BR>\n" );
document.write( "18=3x  divide both sides by 3\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "x=6 hours  -----------------number of hours 'till they are alongside\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "CK\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "18+9(6)=12(6)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "18+54=72<BR>\n" );
document.write( "72=72\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "Hope this helps------ptaylor<BR>\n" );
document.write( " </SPAN>\n" );
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