<PRE><B>Question 4290</B>
Let x = rate of the freighter.
   x + 20 = rate of the Coast Guard Cutter
    4 + 2 = 6 = time of the freighter
    4 = time of the Coast Guard Cutter


    D=RT    
    6x= distance of the freighter
    4(x + 20) = distance of Coast Guard Cutter

   
The equation is based upon the fact that:


Distance traveled by the Coast Guard Cutter is 50 miles more than the distance traveled by the freighter
4(x + 20)  = 6x + 50
4x + 80 = 6x + 50


Subtract 4x from each side:
4x - 4x + 80 = 6x - 4x + 50
80 = 2x + 50


Subtract 50 from each side:
80 - 50 = 2x + 50 - 50
30 = 2x
x = 15 mph = rate of the freighter
x+20 = 35 mph = rate of Coast Guard Cutter.


Check:  Freighter travels 15 mph for 6 hours, which is 90 miles.  The Coast Guard Cutter travels at 35 mph for 4 hours, which is 140 miles, a difference of 50 miles.  


Nice problem.


R^2 from SCC
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