Problema Solution

Mr. Handler bought a second-hand car. After driving for 5 hours, the odometer reads 21,800 miles. After driving for 9 hours, the odometer reads 28,700 miles. What was the odometer reading when Mr. Handler bought the car?

Answer provided by our tutors

let


x = the odometer's reading when the car was bought

m = the number of mile the car makes after driving for 1 hour


After driving for 5 hours, the odometer reads 21,800 miles


x + 5m = 21800


After driving for 9 hours, the odometer reads 28,700 miles


x + 9m = 28700


by solving the system of equations


x + 5m = 21800

x + 9m = 28700


we find


x = 13,175 mi


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When Mr. Handler bought the car the odometer's reading was 13,175 miles.