Problema Solution

Solve the problem by setting up and solving an appropriate algebraic equation.

Bret started on a 70-mile bicycle ride at 16 miles per hour. After a time he became a little tired and slowed down to 12 miles per hour for the rest of the trip. The entire trip of 70 miles took 4 1/2 hours. How far had Bret ridden when he reduced his speed to 12 miles per hour?

Answer provided by our tutors

Let d= distance traveled at 16 MPH

(70-d) = Distance traveled at 12MPH

time= Distance / Speed <----Common formula you should know.

So we know:

(d/16)+(70-d)/12 = 4.5

Find common denominators:(192)

(12d/192)+16(70-d)/192 = 4.5

Add them up:

12d/192 + (1120-16d) = 4.5

(12d+1120-16d)/192 = 4.5

Solve:

(-4d+1120)/192=4.5

-4d+1120 = 864

-4d=-256

d= 64

 

Traveled 64 Miles at 16MPH and 6 Miles at 12MPH