SOLUTION: Helen and Linda live 360 miles apart. They start at the same time and travel toward each other. Helen’s speed is 8mph greater than Linda’s. If they meet in 2.5 hours, find thei

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Question 1161894: Helen and Linda live 360 miles apart. They start at the same time and travel toward each other. Helen’s speed is 8mph greater than Linda’s. If they meet in 2.5 hours, find their speeds.
Found 2 solutions by MathLover1, solver91311:
Answer by MathLover1(20850) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

2.5x%2B2.5%2A%28x%2B8%29=360
2.5x%2B2.5x%2B20=360
5x=340
x=340%2F5
x=68
Linda's speed: x=68mph
Helen's speed: x%2B8=68%2B8=76mph

check the distance:
d%5B1%5D=s%5BL%5Dt....eq.1
d%5B2%5D=s%5BE%5Dt.....eq.2

d%5B1%5D=68%2A2.5=170...eq.1
d%5B2%5D=76%2A2.5=190......eq.2
d%5B1%5D%2Bd%5B2%5D=170%2B190=360mil


Answer by solver91311(24713) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


If they are traveling toward each other, then their speed of approach is the sum of their individual speeds. The speed of approach is the distance they were apart at the start divided by the time it took for them to meet. Let represent the speed of approach and represent the speed of the slower driver.



Calculate the value of , then use that value in the above equation and solve for . Then calculate


John

My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it