Question

During the first part of a trip, a canoeist travels 39 miles at a certain speed. The canoeist travels 19 miles on the second part of the trip at a speed 5 mph slower. The total time from the trip is 3 hrs. What was the speed on each part of the trip

Answer 1

at=39
(a-5)s =19
t+s=3

Answer 2

imranmeah91 that was not correct

Answer 3

haha
those are the equations to use, not the answer

distance = rate*time

Answer 4

a is rate or speed
s and t are times for each trip respectively

Answer 5

solve for time for both trips, then set sum equal to 3
at=39 --> t = 39/a
(a-5)s = 19 --> s = 19/(a-5)
t+s = 3

\[\rightarrow \frac{39}{a}+\frac{19}{a-5} = 3\]
combine fractions
\[\frac{39(a-5) + 19a}{a(a-5)} = 3\]
\[39(a-5) +19a = 3a(a-5)\]
distribute and add like terms
\[39a -195 +19a = 3a^{2} -15a\]
\[3a^{2}-73a+195 = 0\]
Solve using quadratic formula