SOLUTION: Car a and car b enter an expressway at the same time and place, and head the same direction. Car a travels at70 miles per hour. After 2.5 hours, car b is 50 miles behind car a. At

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: Car a and car b enter an expressway at the same time and place, and head the same direction. Car a travels at70 miles per hour. After 2.5 hours, car b is 50 miles behind car a. At       Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 991078: Car a and car b enter an expressway at the same time and place, and head the same direction. Car a travels at70 miles per hour. After 2.5 hours, car b is 50 miles behind car a. At what speed is car b traveling
Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Car a and car b enter an expressway at the same time and place, and head the same direction.
Car a travels at70 miles per hour.
After 2.5 hours, car b is 50 miles behind car a.
At what speed is car b traveling
:
let b = the speed of car b
:
Write a distance equation; dist = speed*time
:
a's dist - b's dist = 50 mi
2.5(70) - 2.5b = 50
175 - 2.5b = 50
-2.5b 50 - 175
-2.5b = - 125
b = -125/-2.5
b = 50 mph the speed of car b
:
:
See if that checks out
a travels 175 mi
b travels 2.5*50 = 125 mi, difference of 50 mi