Mr. Fields spend 6 hours on a trip out into the country and back. he walked out at the rate of 4 mph and walked back at the rate of 2 mph. how far out into the country did he go?

Question

inkyvoyd · Answer

2*4+4*2=16

hero · Answer

d = rt
d = 4*6

d = 24 mi

anonymous · Answer

find two expressions for the time 
put d = distance then time going is $\frac{d}{4}$ and time returning is $\frac{d}{2}$ total time is 
$$\frac{d}{4}+\frac{d}{2}=6$$ solve this for d

anonymous · Answer

$$\frac{6d}{8}=6$$
$$6d=6\times 8$$
$$d=8$$

inkyvoyd · Answer

Whoops, I forgot to divide my number by two. Sorry!

anonymous · Answer

it's ok..

hero · Answer

@satellite, I think the question only wanted how far into the country Mr. Fields went.

anonymous · Answer

yes, that is what i solved for

anonymous · Answer

@Hero  6 is the total time there and back, not the time going
we can check that the answer is correct. 
8 miles there, and 
$$\frac{8}{4}+\frac{8}{2}=2+4=6$$ so six hours total

hero · Answer

I've done problems similar to this. It means 6 hours there, and 6 hours back. If it means something other than that, then these problems are inconsistent.

hero · Answer

Trust me, I looked it up personally and other d = rt problems had that same "6 hours there and back" type of question

hero · Answer

I don't like the wording of them because it can be mis-interpreted.