Question

From two cities that are 500 mi apart, two cars left simulaneously moving towards each other. The speed of one car was 10 mph greater than the speed of the other car. In 5 hours the cars met. Find the speed of each car.

Answer 1

Given:

Distance between to cities = 500 mi

Two cars left simultaneously moving towards each other.

The speed of one car was 10 mph greater than the speed of the other car.

They meet in 5 hours.

To find:

The speed of each car.

Solution:

Let x mi/h be the speed of one car.

So, speed of second car = (x + 10) mi/h

Two cars left simultaneously moving towards each other.

So, their relative speed = x + (x+10) = (2x+10) mi/h

We know that,

$Speed =\dfrac{Distance}{Time}$

On substituting the values, we get

$2x+10=\dfrac{500}{5}$

$2x+10=100$

$2x=100-10$

$2x=90$

Divide both sides by 2.

$x=\dfrac{90}{2}$

$x=45$

Now,

Speed of one car = 45 mi/h

Speed of other car = 45+10

                                = 55 mi/h

Therefore, the speeds of two cars are 45 mi/h and 55 mi/hr.