Two cars start at the same point at Alexandria, verginia, and travel 2
opposite directions. One car travels 5 miles per hour faster than the
other car. After 4 hours, the two cars are 420 miles apart. Find the
speed of each car.
V1 = = X- mi/h
V2 = (x+5) mi/h.
d = 4*X + 4*(X+5) = 420
4x + 4x+20 = 420
8x = 420-20 = 400
X = 50 mi/h.
X+5 = 55 mi/h.
Showing our working
To find the speed of each car, let's represent the speed of one car as "x" miles per hour. Since the other car is traveling 5 miles per hour faster, its speed can be represented as "x + 5" miles per hour.
We know that distance is equal to speed multiplied by time. Given that the two cars have been traveling for 4 hours and are now 420 miles apart, we can set up the following equation:
Distance of Car 1 + Distance of Car 2 = Total Distance
4x + 4(x + 5) = 420
Let's solve this equation step by step:
4x + 4(x + 5) = 420
4x + 4x + 20 = 420
8x + 20 = 420
8x = 400
x = 50
The speed of one car is 50 miles per hour. To find the speed of the other car, we add 5 to it:
x + 5 = 50 + 5 = 55
Therefore, the speed of each car is 50 miles per hour and 55 miles per hour, respectively.