Question 128260
Jose left the airport and traveled toward the
mountains. Kayla left 2.1 hours later
traveling 35 mph faster in an effort to catch
up to him. After 1.2 hours Kayla finally
caught up. Find Jose's average speed.
:
Let s = J's speed
Then
(s+35) = K's speed
:
When K catches up with J they will have traveled the same distance
:
When K catches J their travel times will be:
K's time = 1.2 hrs
J's time = 1.2 + 2.1 = 3.3 hrs
:
Write a distance equation: Distance = time * speed
:
J's dist = K's dist
3.3s = 1.2(s+35)
:
3.3s = 1.2s + 42
:
3.3s - 1.2x = 42
:
2.1s = 42
s = {{{42/2.1}}}
s = 20 mph is J's speed
:
:
We can check our solution by finding the distance of each:
K: 1.2(20+35) = 66 mi
J: 3.3(20) = 66 mi, confirms our solution