another one: I drive 270 mi and my friend drives 330 mi...

rn50nurse

New member
here is another one---

I drive 270 miles and my friend drives 330 miles and we arrive at the same place and arrive at the same time. My friend drives 10 miles an hour faster than I do,--how fast did we both dirve?

I just panic with these word problems! thanks-

galactus

Super Moderator
Staff member
Hello nurse.

Don't panic with word problems. This is just a distance = rate * time problem.

Since d=rt. You are given distance and rates.

You: $$\displaystyle rt=270$$

Your friend: $$\displaystyle (r+10)t=330$$

Now, you have a system of two equations. Can you solve it?.

rn50nurse

New member
hi- thanks for the response-- but--what do I do with them???

rn50nurse

New member
wait--- i drove 45 mph and friend drove 55 mph. ????

galactus

Super Moderator
Staff member
Yes, very good. You got it.

But, let's look at this another way and make the equation easier.

The difference in the two rates is 10. Therefore, $$\displaystyle 270+10t=330$$

Now, you can solve for t and then use that to find the rates.

You got it anyway.

rn50nurse

New member
Hey- thanks! I like the second way to do it also--this is all very foreign to me and struggle to grasp these concepts for some reason! thanks for your help!

rn50nurse

New member
Any chance you can help me with the other one I posted- it really has me stumped- sq roots!!