SOLUTION: A woman can bicycle 23 miles in the same time as it takes her to walk 5 miles. She can ride 9 mph faster than she can walk. How fast can she walk? mp

Let x be her speed walking, in miles per hour (the unknown value under the problem's question).

Then her speed riding is (x+9) mph.


Now I write the "time" equation, as I read the problem


     = .


Next, to solve it, cross-multiply and simplify


    5(x+9) = 23x

    5x + 45 = 23x

    45 = 23x - 5x

    45 = 18x

     x =  = 2.5 mph.


ANSWER.  Her speed walking is 2.5 miles per hour.