SOLUTION: Two Cyclists are traveling in the same direction on the same bike path. One travels at 20 mph and the other at 14 mph. After how many hours will they be 15 miles apart? I just

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Question 4805: Two Cyclists are traveling in the same direction on the same bike path. One travels at 20 mph and the other at 14 mph. After how many hours will they be 15 miles apart?
I just need to know how you would set this problm up.

Answer by Earlsdon(6294) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You would use the distance formula: d = r*t distance = rate*time
Let d1 = the distance covered by the 1st cyclist.
Let d2 = the distance covered by the 2nd cyclist.
So, you can write: d1 = r1*t1 and d2 = r2*t2
Since the question is...at what time will they be 15 miles apart? then t1 = t2 and d1 = d2+15 miles.
Write the distance formulas in terms of t and set them = to each other:
t1 = d1/r1 = d2/r2 Substitute the d1 = d2+15 and r1 = 20 mph and r2 = 14 mph
(d2+15)/20 mph = d2/14 mph Now solve for d2
Once you have found d2, you can get d1 (d1 = d2+15 miles)
Once you have d1 and d2, you can find t (t = d1/r1 = d2/r2)