Problema Solution
Tommy and Jena are taking a 60 mile bike ride in the mountains together. Halfway on the route, Jena crashes her bike. To go back to the start of the trail, they decide to share Tommy's bike. Tommy will ride the bike first, park it, then finish the route by running. When Jena reaches the bike, she will get on and start riding the rest of the route. They can both ride at 15 mph and run at 6 mph. If Tommy and Jena return to the trailhead at the same time, for what portion of the time spent traveling back is the bike being used?
Answer provided by our tutors
Let
x = the hours that Tommy rides the bike first
y = the hours that Tommy runs
15x + 6y = 6x + 15y
9x = 9y divide both sides by 9
x = y
The bike is being used for half of the time spent traveling back.