Step-by-step explanation:
the answer is already as simplified as it could be
The given formula is

Therefore

Given:
C = $25,000
V = $12,000
t = 4.5 years
C/V = 0.48
1/t = 0.2222
Therefore

Answer: 15% (nearest integer)
1/2(x + 4) = -12
1/2x + 2 = -12
1/2x = -10
x = -20
Entire distance = 1,320
Entire time = 5 hours
bus avg = 40 km/h
plane avg = 600 km/h
Working this by trial and error
1 hour bus 4 hour plane = 40 + 2,400 = 2,800 distance (too high)
2 hour bus 3 hour plane = 80 + 1,800 = 1,880 distance (too high)
3 hour bus 2 hour plane = 120 + 1,200 = 1,320 distance (Correct!!)
So, they traveled 3 hours by bus and 2 hours by plane
(yes, you had the right answer).