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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Here is question: Two tuna boats leave the same port traveling in opposite directions along the west coast of the United States. One boat travels 5 miles per hour faster than the other. At the end of one day's travel they are 1,080 miles apart. What is the speed of each boat per hour? Advance thanks for your help and if you need more information please do contact me. Sincerely, Garmani |
Garmani,
The key here is that distance = time 
rate. Suppose that the slower boat travels at a rate of r miles per hour then the faster boat travels at (r + 5) miles per hour. Hence the distance between the boats is increasing at a rate of (2r + 5) miles per hour. In 24 hours this distance is 1,080 miles. What is r?
Penny
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