Question

Two cars are 270 miles apart and travel toward each other on the same road. They meet in 3 hours. One car travels 2 mph faster than the other. What's the average speed of each car?

A. 42 mph and 44 mph
B.44 mph and 46 mph
C.41 mph and 43mph
D.43mph and 45mph

Answer 1

B.44 mph and 46 mph

Explanation:

This question is on relative speed

when cars move towards each other, you add their individual speeds to get their relative speed

Lets have two cars , A and B

Let car A to have an average speed of x m/h towards the right hand side

Let car B to have an average speed of x+2 m/h towards the opposite direction

The distance between the cars is 270 miles

Time of meeting is 3 hours

The relative speed will be x+x+2=2x+2 miles per hour

Apply the formula for time=Distance/speed =D/S

`t=(D)/(S) \\\\\\3=(270)/(2x+2) \\\\\\3(2x+2)=270\\\\\\6x+6=270\\\\\\6x=270-6\\\\\\6x=264\\\\\\x=(264)/(6) =44`

x=44 miles per hour

x+2=44+2=46 miles per hour

solution

44 mph and 46 mph