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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from Shanda, a student: Paul and Charlene are 420 miles apart. They start toward each other with Paul driving 16 miles per hour faster than Charlene. They meet in 5 hours. Find Charlene's speed. |
Hi Shanda.
If the gap between them starts at 420 miles and 5 hours later it is zero, then the gap is shrinking at a rate of 420/5 = 84 mph.
Since they are moving towards each other, both of their speeds are contributing to this gap-closing speed, so
P + C = 84
And the difference of their speeds is given to you:
P - C = 16.
Use these two equations to find the answer to your question.
Cheers,
Stephen La Rocque.
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