SOLUTION: Mary and Linda live 324 miles apart. They start at the same time and travel toward each other. Mary's speed is 8 mph greater than Linda's If they meet in 3 hours find their speeds.

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Linear Equations and Systems Word Problems -> SOLUTION: Mary and Linda live 324 miles apart. They start at the same time and travel toward each other. Mary's speed is 8 mph greater than Linda's If they meet in 3 hours find their speeds.      Log On


   

Question 847560: Mary and Linda live 324 miles apart. They start at the same time and travel toward each other. Mary's speed is 8 mph greater than Linda's If they meet in 3 hours find their speeds.
I have tried 3h-8=324 that did not work
I tried 3x-8y=324 that did not work
and i tried 3(x-y)=324-8 and that did not work.
I take classes online so it's really hard to learn this just by the book.
Found 2 solutions by richwmiller, josmiceli:
Answer by richwmiller(17219) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
3x+3*(x+8)=324
3x+3x+24=324
6x=300
linda x=50
mary x+8=58

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
This is easier if you think of one of
them standing still and the other one
( either one ) moving at the sum of their speeds
Let Linda's speed = +s+
Mary's speed = +s+%2B+8+
--------------------------
+324+=+%28+s+%2B+s+%2B+8+%29%2A3+
+324+=+6s+%2B+24+
+6s+=+300+
+s+=+50+
+s+%2B+8+=+58+
Linda's speed is 50 mi/hr
Mary's speed is 58 mi/hr