document.write( "Question 1196996: Two cyclists start from the same point and ride in opposite directions. One cyclist rides twice as fast as the other. In 3 hr, they are 126 mi apart. Find the rate of each cyclist. \r
\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Slower cyclist _______=MPH
\n" ); document.write( "Faster cyclist _______=MPH
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Algebra.Com's Answer #830052 by math_tutor2020(3817)\"\" \"About 
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\n" ); document.write( "x = speed of the slower cyclist
\n" ); document.write( "2x = speed of the faster cyclist (traveling twice as fast)
\n" ); document.write( "speeds are in miles per hour (mph)
\n" ); document.write( "The variable x is a placeholder for some positive real number\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "After 3 hours, we have these respective distances traveled
\n" ); document.write( "slower = 3x
\n" ); document.write( "faster = 3*2x = 6x
\n" ); document.write( "I used the formula distance = rate*time\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "These two distances must add to the 126 miles.
\n" ); document.write( "You could draw out a diagram like shown below to help visualize what's happening.
\n" ); document.write( "Once you get used to problems like this, the diagram becomes optional in my opinion. But it's helpful to draw out a diagram whenever you get stuck.
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\n" ); document.write( "They both start at point A
\n" ); document.write( "The slower cyclist goes to point B, traveling 3x miles
\n" ); document.write( "The faster cyclist goes to point C, traveling 6x miles
\n" ); document.write( "The distance from B to C is 126 miles, aka 3x+6x\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "(slower cyclist's distance) + (faster cyclist's distance) = 126
\n" ); document.write( "(3x)+(6x) = 126
\n" ); document.write( "9x = 126
\n" ); document.write( "x = 126/9
\n" ); document.write( "x = 14
\n" ); document.write( "which is the slower cyclist's speed
\n" ); document.write( "and 2x = 2*14 = 28 mph is the faster cyclist's speed\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The slower cyclist travels for 3*14 = 42 miles
\n" ); document.write( "The faster cyclist travels for 3*28 = 84 miles
\n" ); document.write( "Note: the faster cyclist travels twice as far\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "The total distance is 42+84 = 126 miles which helps fully verify our answers.\r
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\n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Answer:
\n" ); document.write( "Slower cyclist = 14 mph
\n" ); document.write( "Faster cyclist = 28 mph
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