SOLUTION: A car traveled 278 miles on a trip. During 54 miles of the trip, the car traveled through the city and had gas mileage that was 5 fewer miles per gallon that the gas on the highway

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: A car traveled 278 miles on a trip. During 54 miles of the trip, the car traveled through the city and had gas mileage that was 5 fewer miles per gallon that the gas on the highway      Log On


   

Question 249049: A car traveled 278 miles on a trip. During 54 miles of the trip, the car traveled through the city and had gas mileage that was 5 fewer miles per gallon that the gas on the highway. If the total amount of gasoline used for the trip was 9 gallons, find the gas mileage of the car on the highway.
I have the answer to the problem but i am not sure how to get the answer.
the equation i tried to use was: 278/9 = 54/(x-5) + 224/x but i did not come up with the correct answer. What is the proper method that is to be used to solve this type of word problem?
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A car traveled 278 miles on a trip. During 54 miles of the trip, the car traveled through the city and had gas mileage that was 5 fewer miles per gallon that the gas on the highway.
If the total amount of gasoline used for the trip was 9 gallons, find the gas mileage of the car on the highway.
:
:
You are close to the right equation:
:
gallons used = dist%2Fmpg
:
City gal + highway gal = 9 gal
54%2F%28%28x-5%29%29 + 224%2Fx = 9 is the equation you want