SOLUTION: A bicyclist travels at a constant rate on her bicycle. Biking with the wind, it takes 2.8 hours to travel 56 miles. Biking against the wind, the return trip takes 5 hours. If there

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Question 834940: A bicyclist travels at a constant rate on her bicycle. Biking with the wind, it takes 2.8 hours to travel 56 miles. Biking against the wind, the return trip takes 5 hours. If there was no wind, how fast was the cyclist biking?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39618) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The wording is potentially confusing. Constant speed for each direction but different speed for one direction than for the other direction.

Speed if no wind, r.
Speed of wind, w.
Distance each way, unknown, but 56 miles.

_____________speed____________time______________distance_____Equations
With Wind______r+w______________2.8_______________56________%28r%2Bw%292.8=56
Against Wind___r-w______________5_________________56________%28r-w%295=56


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r%2Bw=56%2F2.8=20, highlight_green%28r%2Bw=20%29
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r-w=56%2F5=11.2, highlight_green%28r-w=11.2%29
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You finish this.