Question

Heather and Esmeralda both leave the park at the same time, but in opposite directions. If Esmeralda travels 9 mph faster than Heather and after 8 hours they are 248 miles apart, how fast is each traveling??

Answer 1

If Heather and Esmeralda are travelling in opposite directions, their total distance is the 248.

Let Heather's speed be = x

Let Esmeralda's speed be = x+9

they each travel for 8 hours so time = 8 hours

Distance = speed * time

`x(8)+(x+9)(8)=248`

`16x+72=248`

`16x=176`

x=11

So, Heather is traveling at 11 miles per hour and

Esmeralda is traveling at x+9 = 11+9 =20 miles per hour

Heather travels 11*8 = 88 miles

Esmeralda travels = 20*8 =160 miles