Question 322244
Edward leaves home at 9AM to hike to another town 12 miles away. He rests for 1 hour, and then hikes back on the same path and reaches home at 5PM. When coming back, his speed was 1mph < his speed going to the other town. 
-What was his speed going both ways. 
----
To town DATA:
distance = 12 miles ; rate = x mph ; time = 12/x hrs

------------------
From town DATA:
distance = 12 miles ; rate = (x-1) mph ; time = 12/(x-1) hrs
-------------------
Note: Total time moving was (3+5-1) = 7 hrs
----
Equation:
12/x + 12/(x-1) = 7
---
12(x-1) + 12x = 7x(x-1)
24x -12 = 7x^2 - 7x
7x^2 -31x + 12 = 0 
---
Factor: 
(x-4)(7x-3) = 0
x = 4 mph or x = 3/7
----
Reasonable answer:
Only x = 4 mph (rate to town)
x - 1 = 3 mph (rate from town)
===================================
Cheers,
Stan H.
=================