Question

Paul and Charlene are 420 miles apart. They start toward each other with Paul driving 16 mph faster than Charlene. They meet in 5 hours. Find Charlene's speed.

Answer 1

Answer:

34 mph.    

Step-by-step explanation:

Let x be speed of Charlene, then speed of Paul will be x+16 as we are given that Paul is driving 16 mph faster than Charlene.

Let y be distance covered by Charlene, then distance covered by Paul will be 420-y.  

Now we will use formula $\text{Speed}=\frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}}$. Upon using our given information we will get two equation and two unknowns as:  

$x+16=\frac{420-y}{5}...(1)$

$x=\frac{y}{5}...(2)$

Upon substituting $x=\frac{y}{5}$ in 1st equation we will get,

$\frac{y}{5}+16=\frac{420-y}{5}$

Upon multiplying both sides of our equation by 5 we will get,

$5(\frac{y}{5}+16)=420-y$

$5\times\frac{y}{5}+5\times 16=420-y$    

$y+80=420-y$

$y+80+y=420-y+y$

$2y+80=420$

$2y=420-80$

$2y=340$

$y=\frac{340}{2}$  

$y=170$      

Upon substituting y=170 in 2nd equation we will get,

$x=\frac{170}{5}$

$x=34$

Therefore, Charlene's speed is 34 miles per hour.