Question

Two cars leave towns 360 kilometers apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One car's rate is 12 kilometers per hour less than the other's. If they meet in 2 hours, what is the rate of the slower car?

Answer 1

let x = speed of the first car

the second car is 12 km slower so the seconds car speed is x-12

they each drove 2 hours so 1st car = 2x
2nd car = 2(x-12)

they drove 360 km
so you have 2x + 2(x-12) = 360
solve for x

2x+2(x-12) = 360

2x + 2x-24 = 360

4x-24 = 360

4x = 384
x = 384/4
x = 96

1st car drove at 96 km per hour

slower car drove at 96-12 = 84 km per hour