Problema Solution

Juan drives to work.because of traffic conditions, he averages 22 miles per hour. He returns home averaging 32 miles per hour. The total travel time is 2 1/4 hours.

Define a variable for the time Juan takes to travel to work. Write an expression for the time Juan takes to return home!

write and solve an equation to find the time Juan spends driving to work

Answer provided by our tutors

let


t1 = the time Juan spends driving to work

t2 = the time Juan spend driving back from work

v1 = 22 mph the speed when driving to work

v2 = 32 mph the speed when returning home

t = 2 1/4 = 9/4 = 2.25 hours total travel time


since average speed = distance / travel time we have


v = d/t => t = d/v and d = v*t


we now that the distance back the forth is the same:


v1*t1 = v2*t2


22*t1 = 32*t2


the total time is 2.25 hours


t1 + t2 = 2.25


by solving the system of equations


22*t1 = 32*t2

t1 + t2 = 2.25


we find


t1 = 4/3 hours


t2 = 11/12 hours


we can find the equation for t2 using the system


22*t1 = 32*t2 => t1 = (32*t2)/22

t1 + t2 = 9/4 =>t2 = 9/4 - t1


t2 = 9/4 - (32*t2)/22


t2(1 + 32/22) = 9/4


t2 = 9/4 *(1 + 32/22)^(-1)


Juan spends 4/3 hours to drive to work.