Problema Solution

Jeanie completed a 27 mile duathlon (race that is a combination of running and biking) in exactly 2 hours. She ran an average speed of 8.5 miles per hour and biked an average speed of 16 miles per hour. For how long did Jeanie bike during the race?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


x = the miles Jeanie biked

y = the miles Jeanie ran

t = 2 hours total time for the duathlon

d = 27 miles the distance she passed

v1 = 8.5 mph Jeanie's running speed

v2 = 16 mph Jeanie's biking speed

t1 = the time she biked

t2 = the time she ran


we will use the formula v = d / t that is


the average speed = the distance passed / the time needed


thus we can write the following system of equations


x + y = 27

x = 8.5 * t1

y = 16 * t2

t1 + t2 = 2


by solving it we find


t2 = 4/3 hours = 1 1/3 hour = 1 hour 20 min


Jeanie biked 1 hour 20 min.