Problema Solution
A bicyclist travels at a constant rate on her bicycle. Biking with the wind, it takes 2.9 hours to travel 58 miles. Biking against the wind, the return trip takes 5 hours. If there is no wind, how fast was the cyclist biking?
Answer provided by our tutors
let
v = the speed of the bicyclist without wind
w = the speed of the wind
d = 58 miles
t1 = 2.9 hr
t2 = 5 hr
speed = distance/time
Biking with the wind the speed of the bicyclist is: v + w
Biking against the wind the speed of the bicyclist is: v - w
(v + w)t1= d
(v + w)2.9= 58
(v - w)t2 = d
(v - w)5 = 58
by solving the system of equations
(v + w)2.9= 58
(v - w)5 = 58
we find
v = 15.8 mph
click here to see the step by step solution of the system of equations
the speed of the bicyclist without wind is 15.8 mph.