SOLUTION: The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race varies inversely as the average speed of the swimmer. A swimmer finishes a race in 400 seconds with an average speed of 3 feet

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race varies inversely as the average speed of the swimmer. A swimmer finishes a race in 400 seconds with an average speed of 3 feet       Log On


   

Question 233210: The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race varies inversely as the average speed of the swimmer. A swimmer finishes a race in 400 seconds with an average speed of 3 feet per second. Find the average speed of the swimmer if it takes 300 seconds to finish the race.
How do I get the answer?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race varies inversely as the average speed of the swimmer.
A swimmer finishes a race in 400 seconds with an average speed of 3 feet per second.
Find the average speed of the swimmer if it takes 300 seconds to finish the race.
:
you can use an inverted ratio equation: let s = speed of the faster swimmer
:
400%2F300 = s%2F3
which is
4%2F3 = s%2F3
cross mult
3s = 4*3
3s = 12
s = 12%2F3
s = 4 ft/sec is the faster swimmers speed
:
:
Prove that to yourself.
the dist for both should be the same:
400 * 3 = 1200 ft
300 * 4 = 1200 ft