SOLUTION: A man walks a certain distance at the rate of 5 miles an hour and returns at the rate of 4 miles an hour. If the total time that it takes is 3 hours and 9 minute, what is the total

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: A man walks a certain distance at the rate of 5 miles an hour and returns at the rate of 4 miles an hour. If the total time that it takes is 3 hours and 9 minute, what is the total      Log On

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Question 635387: A man walks a certain distance at the rate of 5 miles an hour and returns at the rate of 4 miles an hour. If the total time that it takes is 3 hours and 9 minute, what is the total distance that he walks?
Answer by ptaylor(2198) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Distance(d) equals Rate(r) times Time(t) or d=rt; r=d/t and t=d/r
Let d=distance walked one way; 2d=total distance walked
Time walking at 5 mi/hr=d/5
Time walking at 4 mi/hr=d/4
And we are told that the above times add up to 3 3/20 hr.
3 3/20 hr=63/20 hr
So our equation to solve is:
d/5 +d/4=63/20 multiply each term by 20
4d+5d=63
9d=63
d=7 mi
2d = total distance walked =2*7=14 mi---ans
Hope this helps---ptaylor