Two motorcycles each make the same 220-mile trip, but one travels 5 mph faster than the other. Find the rate of each motorcycle if the slower one takes 24 minutes longer to complete the trip than the faster one.

Question

anonymous · Answer

If you let x = the rate of speed of the faster motorcyclist, he makes the trip in y hours.  xy = 220.  The slower person takes 0.4 hours longer and goes 5 mph slower, so his equation is (x - 5)(y + 0.4) = 220.  Solve equation 1 for x and plug it into the second equation.

anonymous · Answer

I understand now, thanks!

anonymous · Answer

Good luck to you!  All you'll have to do then is solve a quadratic equation.  But first study my logic so you'll know how to do this later.

anonymous · Answer

Will do that for sure!