SOLUTION: Bert is traveling 15 miles per hour slower than Ernie. Bert can travel 150 miles in the same time it takes Ernie to go 225 miles. Find Bert's speed.

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Question 752026: Bert is traveling 15 miles per hour slower than Ernie. Bert can travel 150 miles in the same time it takes Ernie to go 225 miles. Find Bert's speed.
Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, stanbon:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +s+ = Ernie's speed
+s+-+15+ = Bert's speed
Let +t+ = time in hours for both
-----------------------------
Ernie's equation:
(1) +225+=+s%2At+
Bert's speed:
(2) +150+=+%28+s-15+%29%2At+
---------------------
(2) +150+=+s%2At+-+15t+
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) +150+=+225+-+15t+
(2) +15t+=+75+
(2) +t+=+5+
and
(1) +225+=+s%2A5+
(1) +s+=+45+
and
+s+-+15+=+30+
Bert's speed is 30 mi/hr
check:
(2) +150+=+%28+s-15+%29%2At+
(2) +150+=+%28+45-15+%29%2A5+
(2) +150+=+150+
OK

Answer by stanbon(75887) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Bert is traveling 15 miles per hour slower than Ernie. Bert can travel 150 miles in the same time it takes Ernie to go 225 miles. Find Bert's speed.
-----
Ernie DATA:
distance = 225 miles ; rate = x mph ; time = d/r = 225/x hrs.
-------
Bert DATA:
distance = 150 miles ; rate = x-15 mph ; time = d/r = 150/(x-15) hrs
----------
Equation:
time = time
225/x = 150/(x-15)
---
225x - 225*15 = 150x
75x = 225*15
x = (1/5)(225)
x = 45 mph (Ernie's rate)
x -15 = 30 mph (Bert's rate)
================================
Cheers,
Stan H.
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