SOLUTION: I am so confused.. d=rt Two boats are driven in opposite directions, one at 6 miles per hour and the other at 5 miles per hour. In how many hours will they be 55 miles apart?

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: I am so confused.. d=rt Two boats are driven in opposite directions, one at 6 miles per hour and the other at 5 miles per hour. In how many hours will they be 55 miles apart?      Log On


   

Question 281104: I am so confused..
d=rt
Two boats are driven in opposite directions, one at 6 miles per hour and the other at 5 miles per hour. In how many hours will they be 55 miles apart?
Answer by Fombitz(32388) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the distance that boat 1 travels be d1.
d1=r1%2At=6t
Let the distance that boat 2 travels be d2.
d2=r2%2At=5t
Since both boats start at the same time, t is the same for both.
Since both boats travel in opposite directions, the distance between them is just the sum of their distances from the starting point.
+d=d1%2Bd2
d=r1%2At%2Br2%2At=6t%2B5t=55
You know r1 and r2, now solve for t.
11t=55
t=5
In 5 hours, they will be 55 miles apart.