A car leaves Rockford traveling toward Wausau at the rate of 55 mph. At the same time, another car leaves Wausau traveling toward Rockford at the rate of 50 mph. How long will it take them to meet if the cities are 157.5 miles apart?

Question

anonymous · Answer

Given: the basic distance formula is d=rt where d is distance traveled, r is the rate of speed and t is the time

anonymous · Answer

Okay so they will meet when the first car has traveled $d_1$ miles, and when the second car has traveled $d_2$ miles.
We know:
$$d_1+d_2=157.5$$$$d_1=55t$$$$d_2=50t$$
Three equations, three variables.  This is a system of equations.  We want to solve for $t$.  Do you know how to solve for variables and substitute?

anonymous · Answer

yes

anonymous · Answer

I think you've done it before with the perimeter and length and width.  This is the same thing, but we have to do a bit more work.  Good luck.

anonymous · Answer

By the way, do you understand how I got those equations?

anonymous · Answer

Yeah I do & thanks