SOLUTION: 4.Two cyclists leave a city at the same time, one going east and the other going west. The westbound cyclist bikes 4 mph faster than the eastbound cyclist. After 6 hours, they ar

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: 4.Two cyclists leave a city at the same time, one going east and the other going west. The westbound cyclist bikes 4 mph faster than the eastbound cyclist. After 6 hours, they ar      Log On

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Question 410178: 4.Two cyclists leave a city at the same time, one going east and the other going west. The westbound cyclist bikes 4 mph faster than the eastbound cyclist. After 6 hours, they are 180 miles apart. How fast is each cyclist riding?
Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Two cyclists leave a city at the same time, one going east and the other going west. The westbound cyclist bikes 4 mph faster than the eastbound cyclist. After 6 hours, they are 180 miles apart. How fast is each cyclist riding?
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Let the slower cyclist have rate = x.
Then the faster cyclist has rate = x+4
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They are separating at the rate of x+x+4 = 2x+4 mph
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Equation:
distance = rate * time
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180 = (2x+4)*6
12x+24 = 180
12x = 156
x = 13 mph (slower rider rate)
x+4 = 17 mph (faster rider rate)
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Cheers,
Stan H.