Question 53778
The first bus travels at 44mph for x hours.
The second bus travels at 48mph for (x-1) hours, it leaves an hour later-or travels one hour less than the first bus.
The distance the first bus travels (from D=RT), is 44x
The distance the second bus travels is 48(x-1),  48mph times (x-1) hours
Since the buses are traveling in different directions, the sum of their distances should equal 274.   or in Algebra:
44x + 48(x-1) = 274   , then distribute:
44x + 48x - 48 = 274  , combine like terms:
92x - 48 = 274        , add 48 to both sides:
92x = 322             , divide by 92:
x = 3.5
So, the first bus travels 44 mph for 3.5 hours (a total distance of 154 miles).
The second bus travels 48 mph for 2.5 hours (3.5-1) for a distance of 120 miles.
Thus, 3.5 hours after the first bus leaves, ie. at 4:30pm, the two buses will be 274 miles apart.