During the first part of a trip, a canoeist travels 89 miles at a certain speed. The canoeist travels 23 miles on the second part of the trip at a speed 5 mph slower. The total time for the trip is 3 hrs. What was the speed on each part of the trip?

Question

anonymous · Answer

$$\frac{89}{a}+\frac{23}{a-5}=3$$

anonymous · Answer

Solve for a

anonymous · Answer

a=14

anonymous · Answer

damn it is 4 hours

anonymous · Answer

there should be another answer close to 38

anonymous · Answer

36.25 ??

anonymous · Answer

89(a−5)+23(a)=4(a)(a−5)

anonymous · Answer

I still can not get the answer.

anonymous · Answer

$$\approx29.19$$
hardcore quadratics :)

anonymous · Answer

that is for the first part what is the second part

anonymous · Answer

let's see what computer tell us

anonymous · Answer

3.81

anonymous · Answer

http://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=Solve%5B89%2Fa+%2B+23%2F%28a+-+5%29+%3D+3%2Ca%5D

anonymous · Answer

3.85 and 38.48 ??

anonymous · Answer

yes, but you only take 38 because other one does not make sense.

anonymous · Answer

the first answer was right 29.19 
so the second part is 38.48

anonymous · Answer

you also have to say what (a-5) is

anonymous · Answer

well that is not right

anonymous · Answer

first was right second answer was wrong

anonymous · Answer

a=38.48
a-5=33.48
a=first part
b= second part

anonymous · Answer

B was 24.19