Question 906706
Two hikers,Alan and Ben,are 12.4 miles apart walking towards each other.
 They meet in 4 hours.
 What is the rate of each hiker if Ben walks 0.5 mph faster than Alan?
:
Let s = Alan's walking rate
then
(s+.5) = Ben's walking rate
:
When they meet they will have walked a total 12.4 mi.
Write a distance equation; dist = time * speed
:
Alan's dist + Ben's dist = 12.4 mi
4s + 4(s+.5) = 12.4
4s + 4s + 2 = 12.4
8s = 12.4 - 2
8s = 10.4
s = 10.4/8
s = 1.3 mph is Alan's walking rate
then
1.3 + .5 = 1.8 mph is Ben's
:
:
Confirm this find the actual dist each walked
4 * 1.3 = 5.2 
4 * 1.8 = 7.2
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total dist: 12.4 mis