SOLUTION: Maria drove a total of 301.5 miles in two legs of a trip. In the first part of her trip, she drove at a constant speed for 2.5 hours. In the second part of her trip, she dr

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: Maria drove a total of 301.5 miles in two legs of a trip. In the first part of her trip, she drove at a constant speed for 2.5 hours. In the second part of her trip, she dr      Log On

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Question 1184770: Maria drove a total of
301.5
miles in two legs of a trip. In the first part of her trip, she drove at a constant speed for
2.5
hours. In the second part of her trip, she drove
4
miles per hour slower, and drove for
3
hours. How fast was Maria driving in each leg of the trip?

Answer by greenestamps(13198) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


distance = rate * time

1st part: 2.5 hours at speed x mph; distance 2.5(x)

2nd part: 3 hours at speed (x-4) mph; distance 3(x-4)

The total distance was 301.5 miles:

2.5%28x%29%2B3%28x-4%29=301.5
2.5x%2B3x-12=301.5
5.5x-313.5
x=313.5%2F5.5=57

ANSWERS:
1st part: x = 57mph
2nd part: x-4 = 53mph