document.write( "Question 1167511: Amanda leaves Boston at 10:00 AM and drives to Buffalo, NY, which is 400 miles away. After 4 hours, the traffic causes Amanda to reduce her speed by 20 mph. She stops to rest for two hours, and then arrives in Buffalo at 8:00 PM.
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document.write( "What was Amanda's initial speed?
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Algebra.Com's Answer #792131 by greenestamps(13200)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! \n" ); document.write( "You should know how to solve the problem using formal algebra, as shown by the other tutor. \n" ); document.write( "However, if a formal algebraic solution is not required, and/or if you want to get some good practice in logical thinking (and thus give your brain some good exercise), this problem lends itself to a quick and easy solution. \n" ); document.write( "The total trip was 10 hours; she stopped for a rest for 2 hours, so the total driving time was 8 hours. \n" ); document.write( "So her average speed was 400/8 = 50 mph. \n" ); document.write( "She drove for 4 hours at her original speed, so she drove for 4 hours at the reduced speed. \n" ); document.write( "Since she drove equal amounts of time at the two speeds, her overall average of 50 mph was halfway between her two driving speeds. \n" ); document.write( "Since the difference between the two speeds was 20 mph, an overall average of 50 mph means the two speeds were 50+10=60 and 50-10=40 mph. \n" ); document.write( "ANSWER: Her original speed was 60 mph. \n" ); document.write( "CHECK: \n" ); document.write( "4 hours at 60 mph, plus 4 hours at 40 mph, equals 400 miles \n" ); document.write( "4(60)+4(40) = 240+160 = 400 \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " |