Problema Solution

In three days, Carter drove 2196 miles in 36 hours behind the wheel. the first day he averaged 64 mph, the second day 62 mph, and the third day 58 mph. If he drove 4 more hours on the third day than on the first day, then how many hours did he drive each day?

Answer provided by our tutors

Let X be the hours driven on day 1, Y hours on day 2 and Z hours on day 3

then:

X + Y + Z = 36

Average speed * hours/day = miles driven/day so

64X + 62Y + 58Z = 2196

We know he drove 4 more hours on day 3 than day 1 so

X + 4 = Z

Now substitute in both equations

X + Y + X + 4 = 36

64X + 62Y + 58(X + 4) = 2196

Combine terms

2X + Y = 32

122X + 62Y = 1964

Now solve for Y in Eq 1

Y = 32 - 2X

and substitute in final equation

122X + 62(32-2X) = 1964

Combine terms to solve for X and use answer to compute Y and then Z