Question

A bird leaves its nest and travels 20 miles per hour downwind for x hours. On the return trip, the bird travels 4 miles per hour slower and has 6 miles left after x hours.
a. What is the distance of the entire trip?
miles_________
b. How long does the entire trip take?
hours_____
minutes_____
seconds______

Answer 1

Answer:

30 mi/ 24 mi (6 mi slower)

Step-by-step explanation:

distance = rate x time

distance = 20 mph * X hr = 20 X miles

return trip:

    distance = 16 mph * X hr + 6 miles = 16X + 6

They are the same:

 20X = 16X + 6

 4X = 6

 X = 6/4 = 3/2

20 mph * 3/2 hr = 30 miles.

On the return trip: 16 mph * 3/2 hr = 24 miles, which is 6 miles short of 30 mi.

The distance is 30 miles.

The bird flies all 30 miles in 3/2 hr = 1 and 1/2 hour = 1 hour 30 minutes.

On the return trip, the bird flies 24 miles in 1.5 hours, which is 6 miles short.