SOLUTION: I am so bad at story problems, I can not seem to figure out which equations to use...could someone help? The problem is I went for a bicycle ride on Saturday. I rode for 2 hour

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: I am so bad at story problems, I can not seem to figure out which equations to use...could someone help? The problem is I went for a bicycle ride on Saturday. I rode for 2 hour      Log On


   

Question 122724: I am so bad at story problems, I can not seem to figure out which equations to use...could someone help? The problem is
I went for a bicycle ride on Saturday. I rode for 2 hours on Saturday morning and 1.5 hours on Saturday afternoon. My speed in the morning was 3 miles per hour faster than in the afternoon. If I rode for 41 miles, what was my morning speed? Hint: Let x=speed in the morning
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
went for a bicycle ride on Saturday. I rode for 2 hours on Saturday morning and 1.5 hours on Saturday afternoon. My speed in the morning was 3 miles per hour faster than in the afternoon. If I rode for 41 miles, what was my morning speed?
:
As they suggest:
Let x = speed in the morning
Then
(x+3) = speed in the afternoon
:
Write a distance equation: Distance = time * speed
:
Morning dist + afternoon dist = 41 miles
2x + 1.5(x+3) = 41
2x + 1.5x + 4.5 = 41
3.5x = 41 - 4.5
x = 36.5%2F3.5
x = 10.4 mph in the morning
:
;
Check solution by finding the total distance
Afternoon speed: 10.4 + 3 = 13.4
2(10.4) + 1.5(13.4) =
20.8 + 20.1 = 40.9 ~ 41; confirms our solution of x = 10.4
:
:
Did this make sense to you? Any questions? Decide not to bad at story problems;
A little clear thinking is all that is required.