SOLUTION: One hiker hikes down a trail at 3.5 miles per hour and hikes back up at 2.1 miles per hour, and she spent a total of 16 hours hiking. How far did she hike? and how long did it tak

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Question 342327: One hiker hikes down a trail at 3.5 miles per hour and hikes back up at 2.1 miles per hour, and she spent a total of 16 hours hiking. How far did she hike? and how long did it take her to get to the bottom?
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
One hiker hikes down a trail at 3.5 miles per hour and hikes back up at 2.1 miles per hour, and she spent a total of 16 hours hiking. How far did she hike? and how long did it take her to get to the bottom?
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Down DATA:
rate = 3.5 mph ; distance = x miles ; time = d/r = x/3.5 hrs
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Up DATA:
rate = 2.1 mph ; distance = x miles ; time = d/r = x/2.1 hrs
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Equation:
time + time = 16 hrs
x/3.5 + x/2.1 = 16
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2.1x + 3.5x = 16*3.5*2.1 = 117.6
5.6x = 117.6
x = 21 miles
2x = 42 miles (total distance she hiked)
Time to get to the bottom = 21/3.5 = 6 hrs.
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Cheers,
Stan H.