SOLUTION: You are biking at a speed of 18 miles per hour. You are 3 miles behind your friend who is biking at a speed of 12 miles per hour. Write and solve an equation to find the amount of

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: You are biking at a speed of 18 miles per hour. You are 3 miles behind your friend who is biking at a speed of 12 miles per hour. Write and solve an equation to find the amount of       Log On

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Question 990997: You are biking at a speed of 18 miles per hour. You are 3 miles behind your friend who is biking at a speed of 12 miles per hour. Write and solve an equation to find the amount of time it takes for you to catch up to your friend
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let +d+ = the distance in miles that your friend
travels until you catch up with your friend
+d+%2B+3+ = the distance in miles you cover until
you catch your friend
Let +t+ = time in hrs it takes to catch your friend
------------------------------------------
Your friend's equation:
(1) +d+=+12t+
Your equation:
(2) +d+%2B+3+=+18t+
-----------------
Substitute (1) into (2)
(2) +12t+%2B+3+=+18t+
(2) +6t+=+3+
(2) +t+=+1%2F2+
You catch your friend in a 1/2 hr
----------------
check:
(1) +d+=+12%2A%281%2F2%29+
(1) +d+=+6+
and
(2) +d+%2B+3+=+18%2A%281%2F2%29+
(2) +d+=+9+-+3+
(2) +d+=+6+
OK