Question

Gemma recently rode her bicycle to visit her friend who lives 6 miles away. On her way there, her average speed was 16 miles per hour faster than on her way home. If Gemma spent a total of 1 hour bicycle, find the two rates.

Answer 1

first speed --- x mph

return speed -- x+16 mph

6/x + 6/(x+16) = 1

times each term by x(x+16)

6(x+16) + 6x = x(x+16)

x^2 + 4x - 96 = 0

(x-8)(x+12) = 0

x = 8 or x is a negative

her first speed was 8 mph

her return speed was 24 mph

check:

6/8 + 6/24 = 1 , that's good!