SOLUTION: During the first part of the trip a canoeist travels 34 miles at a certain speed.The canoeist traveled 15 miles on the second part of the trip at 5 mph slower. Total trip was 5 hou

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Question 536838: During the first part of the trip a canoeist travels 34 miles at a certain speed.The canoeist traveled 15 miles on the second part of the trip at 5 mph slower. Total trip was 5 hours. What was the speed on the first part of the trip? What about the second part of the trip.
Okay so I understand when I get the answer for part a I simple subtract 5 from answer a for answer b. I also understand the problem gets set up like this
34/x + 15/x-5=5. After that I am lost. I was wondering if you could show me what to do next?
Thanks so much.
Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
clear the fractions by multiplying by the LCD [x(x - 5)]

34(x - 5) + 15(x) = 5[x(x - 5)] ___ 34x - 170 + 15x = 5x^2 - 25x ___ 0 = 5x^2 - 74x + 170

use the quadratic formula to find x