SOLUTION: I need your help with this word problem :( A motor scooter travels 16 mi in the same time that a bicycle covers 7 mi. If the rate of the scooter is 5mph more than twice the rate

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Question 994699: I need your help with this word problem :(
A motor scooter travels 16 mi in the same time that a bicycle covers 7 mi. If the rate of the scooter is 5mph more than twice the rate of the bicycle, find both rates.

Answer by Boreal(15235) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
bicycle rate is x mph
scooter rate is 2x+5 mph
2x+5 mph * y hours=16 mi.
y=16/(2x+5)
also
x mph * y hours=7 miles
y=7/x.
So, (16/(2x+5))=(7/x)
cross multiply
16x=7(2x+5)
16x=14x+35
2x=35
x=17.5 mph bicycle
2x+5=40 mph scooter
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scooter travels 16 miles at 40 mph, that is 0.4 hours or 24 minutes.
bicycle travels 7 miles at 17.5 mph, that is 7/17.5 hours, and that is 0.4 hours or 24 minutes.