John and William leave their home traveling in opposite directions on a straight road. John drives 20 miles per hour faster than William. After 4 hours they are 250 miles apart.
a. Define a variable for John's rate. Write an expression for William's rate.
b. Write and solve an equation to find John's rate. Then find William's rate.

2. Originally Posted by melbelle719
John and William leave their home traveling in opposite directions on a straight road. John drives 20 miles per hour faster than William. After 4 hours they are 250 miles apart.
a. Define a variable for John's rate. Write an expression for William's rate.
b. Write and solve an equation to find John's rate. Then find William's rate.
You have stated elsewhere that, by posting these exercises with no work shown, you are meaning to ask for lessons on the apparent topic. So here ya go!

. . . . .Google results for "distance word problems"

3. Originally Posted by melbelle719
John and William leave their home traveling in opposite directions on a straight road. John drives 20 miles per hour faster than William. After 4 hours they are 250 miles apart.
a. Define a variable for John's rate. Write an expression for William's rate.
b. Write and solve an equation to find John's rate. Then find William's rate.
Ok, you said you wanted hints; here goes:
j = John's rate
then William's rate is j - 20

Over 4 hours, they travelled a total of 250 miles at rate (j + j-20).

If I showed you next step, then I'd be actually doing your homework;
but you said you're not here for that purpose; so take over...