Problema Solution

Bret started on a 80-mile bicycle ride at 15 miles per hour. After a time he became a little tired and slowed down to 10 miles per hour for the rest of the trip. The entire trip of 80 miles took 5 1/2 hours. How far had Bret ridden when he reduced his speed to 10 miles per hour?

Answer provided by our tutors

Given:


d=80mi

r1=15mi/h

r2=10mi/h

t=5 1/2h



Let d1= x = the distance he had gone when he reduced his speed


d2=80-x=the distance he traveled after reducing his speed



Equation: t1+t2=t


t=d/r

d1 /r1+d2 /r2=11/2

x/15+(80-x)/10=11/2

30[x/15+(80-x)/10=11/2]30

2x+240-3x=165

2x-3x=165-240

-x=-75

x=75miles



Check:


75/15+(80-75)/10=11/2

5+5/10=11/2

5+1/2=11/2

5 1/2=11/2

11/2=11/2

There you go! :)