SOLUTION: Two towns are 1100 miles apart. A group of hikers starts from each town and walks down the trail toward each other. They meet after a total hiking time of 220 hours. If one group t

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Two towns are 1100 miles apart. A group of hikers starts from each town and walks down the trail toward each other. They meet after a total hiking time of 220 hours. If one group t      Log On


   

Question 1054010: Two towns are 1100 miles apart. A group of hikers starts from each town and walks down the trail toward each other. They meet after a total hiking time of 220 hours. If one group travels 2 and 1/2 miles per hour slower than the other group, find the rate of each group.
Answer by Boreal(15235) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The distance is 1100 miles, and the time is 220 hours.
The closing speed is 1100/220=5 miles per hour.
One group is hiking 2.5 mph slower than the other.
x=faster group
x-2.5=slower group
x+x-2.5=5
2x=7.5
x=3.75 mph
x-2.5=1.25 mph
That is a closing speed of 5 mph.