Question 119837
They are 87 miles apart and they meet somewhere in the middle
I'll call the distance covered by the slower cyclist {{{x}}}
and the distance covered by the faster cyclist {{{87-x}}}
Notice when I add these distances, I get {{{x + (87-x) = 87}}}
as I should
I'll call the speed of the slower cyclist {{{s}}}, Then the speed
of the faster cyclist would be {{{2s}}}
The elapsed time for both of them is 2 hrs
Now I write distance = speed x time for both of them
{{{x = s*2}}}
{{{87 - x = 2s*2}}}
Substitute {{{2s}}} for {{{x}}} in the 2nd equation
{{{87 - 2s = 4s}}}
{{{6s = 87}}}
{{{s = 14.5}}}
{{{2s = 29}}}
So, the slower cyclist's average speed is 14.5 mi/hr
and the faster cyclist's speed is 29 mi/hr
check answers
{{{87 = s*2 + 2s*2}}}
{{{87 = 14.5*2 + 29*2}}}
{{{87 = 29 + 58}}}
{{{87 = 87}}}
OK