SOLUTION: A bicyclist rode into the country for 5h. In returning, her speed was 5 mi/h faster and the trip took 4h. What was her speed each way? R x T = D????? I am not sure how to

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: A bicyclist rode into the country for 5h. In returning, her speed was 5 mi/h faster and the trip took 4h. What was her speed each way? R x T = D????? I am not sure how to      Log On


   



Question 51069: A bicyclist rode into the country for 5h. In returning, her speed was 5 mi/h faster and the trip took 4h. What was her speed each way?

R x T = D?????
I am not sure how to set this up and solve. Please help. Thank You.

Answer by mathchemprofessor(65) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let the speed, the bicyclist rode for country in one way, be x miles per hour.
Time taken for one way was 5 hours.
So, the distance traveled = 5 hours*(xmph)=5x miles
On the reurn journey, the speed was (x+5)mph
Time taken=4hours
So, the distance traveled on his return=4hours*(x+5)mph=4(x+5)miles.
Since the distance traveled is the same both ways,
5x=4(x+5)
5x=4x+20
5x-4x=4x+20-4x
x=20
So, the speed in one way was 20mph and on his return,(20+5=)25mph
You can check the value of x by substituting in the equations.
The distance traveled in each way was 100 miles.