SOLUTION: Hello! I have a word problem that I need help solving. My problem : Two hikers are walking along a marked trail. The first hiker starts at a point 6 miles from the beginning of

Algebra ->  Systems-of-equations -> SOLUTION: Hello! I have a word problem that I need help solving. My problem : Two hikers are walking along a marked trail. The first hiker starts at a point 6 miles from the beginning of       Log On


   



Question 1115282: Hello! I have a word problem that I need help solving.
My problem : Two hikers are walking along a marked trail. The first hiker starts at a point 6 miles from the beginning of the trail and walks at a speed of 3mph. At the same time, the second hiker starts 1 mile from the beginning and walks at a speed of 4mph. When will they be at the same point on the trail?
I have trouble trying to find a way to solve it using substitution and elimination. I have tried but I can't seem to find the correct way to do it. I would appreciate any help, thank you!

Found 2 solutions by mananth, josgarithmetic:
Answer by mananth(16946) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.



(x-1)/4 = (x-6)/3
3(x-1) =4(x-6)
3x-3=4x-24
x=21

Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
They both expect to reach some distance through the trail, d.
First hiker will travel d-6.
Speed of 3 mph.
Second hiker will travel d-1.
Speed 4 mph.

Time is given as the same for the two to reach same point in the trail.
           SPEED     TIME           DISTANCE
Hiker1       3       (d-6)/3         d-6
Hiker2       4       (d-1)/4         d-1

%28d-6%29%2F3=%28d-1%29%2F4------Find d and use it with either time expression to find the time.

4%28d-6%29=3%28d-1%29
4d-24=3d-3
d=24-3
d=21

Amount of time:
%2821-6%29%2F3
7-2
highlight%285%29-------five hours