Question 498819
paul and frank are on the same path 39.15 miles apart. they are going to ride their bike towards each other until they meet. frank starts pedaling 1.5 hours before paul. paul rides 1.8 miles per hour faster than frank. if they meet 3 hours after paul starts riding, find the speed of each biker.

Frank speed = x mph
Paul speed = x+1.8 mph
Frank leaves 1.5 hours early

distance traveled by Frank in in 1.5 hours = 1.5x
so when Paul starts Frank is (39.15-1.5x) miles away

they are pedalling towards each other
so add up the speeds

2x+1.8

t= d/r
t= 3 hours
d= (39.15-1.5x)
r= 2x+1.8
3= (39.15-1.5x)/(2x+1.8)

6x+5.4 = 39.15-1.5x
7.5x=39.15-5.4
7.5x=33.75
x=4.5
Frank Speed = 4.5 mph
Paul speed = 6.3 mph

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