SOLUTION: Two cyclists start at the same point and travel in opposite directions. One cyclist travels 8 mph slower than the other. If the two cyclists are 136 miles apart after 4 hours, wha

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Question 1168737: Two cyclists start at the same point and travel in opposite directions. One cyclist travels 8 mph slower than the other. If the two cyclists are 136 miles apart after 4 hours, what is the rate of each cyclist?
What is the rate of the slower cyclist?
What is the rate of the faster cyclist?
Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, Boreal:
Answer by ikleyn(52798) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.

Let x be the rate of the slower cyclist, in miles per hour.

Then the rate of the faster cyclist is (x+8) mph.


The total distance equation in 4 hours is


    4x + 4*(x+8) = 136   miles apart


Simplify and solve.


    4x + 4x + 4*8 = 136

    8x            = 136 - 32

    8x            = 104

     x            = 104/8 = 13 mph.


ANSWER.  The slower cyclist rate is 13 miles per hour.

Solved.

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Answer by Boreal(15235) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Their combined speed apart is 136/4 =34 mph
x and x+8 are the speeds
2x+8=34
2x=26
x=13 mph slower cyclist
x+8=21 mph faster cyclist
in 4 hours, they go 52 and 84 miles respectively.