Discover the best answers at Westonci.ca, where experts share their insights and knowledge with you. Experience the convenience of finding accurate answers to your questions from knowledgeable experts on our platform. Discover in-depth answers to your questions from a wide network of professionals on our user-friendly Q&A platform.

Two cars leave Denver at the same time and travel in opposite directions. One car travels 10 mi/h faster than the other car. The cars are 500 mi apart in 5 h. How fast is each car traveling?

Sagot :

AL2006
The speed of one car is 'S'.  The speed of the other car is (S + 10).

In 5 hours, the first car travels (5S) miles, and the other car travels  5(S + 10) miles.

Since they're going in opposite directions, the distance between them at any time
is the sum of the distance that each one has traveled.

500 = (5S) + 5(S + 10)

500 = 5S  +  5S + 50

500 = 10S + 50

Subtract 50 from each side:

450 = 10S

Divide each side by 10

S = 45

S + 10 = 55

Let one car travel at x mph

The other car travels at x+10 mph

Their combined speed is 2x+10 mph.

Distance = 500

time = 500 /2x+10 =5

10x+50=500

10x= 450

x=45 speed of one car

The other car travels at 45+10 = 55 mph