SOLUTION: Doug travels 3 times as fast as Mike. Traveling in opposite directions, they are 260 miles apart after 6.5 hours. Find their rates of travel.

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Question 1128097: Doug travels 3 times as fast as Mike. Traveling in opposite directions, they are 260 miles apart after 6.5 hours. Find their rates of travel.
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Add their speeds
Let +s+ = Mike's speed in mi/hr
+260+=+%28+s+%2B+3s+%29%2A6.5+
+260+=+4s%2A6.5+
+26s+=+260+
+s+=+10+
and
+3s+=+30+
10 mi/hr and 30 mi/hr
---------------------------
check with separate rates:
Mike's equation:
(1) +d+=+s%2A6.5+
Doug's equation:
(2) +260+-+d+=+3s%2A6.5+
----------------------------
Plug (1) into (2)
(2) +260+-+6.5s+=+19.5s+
(2) +26s+=+260+
(2) +s+=+10+
OK