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-   -   Algebra Quadratic wordproblem (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=162240)

  • Dec 13, 2007, 12:09 AM
    sean080
    Algebra Quadratic wordproblem
    Hi, I'm trying to figure this out but always have trouble with problems like this, here it is:

    Jennifer traveled at a constant speed on an old road for 160 miles. She then traveled 5 miles per hour faster on a newer road for 90 miles. If she drove for 6 hours, find the car's speed for the part of the trip that was traveled on the new road.
  • Dec 13, 2007, 03:56 AM
    jiten55
    Let speed on new road = x

    Original speed = x - 5

    Total time =

    160/(x - 5) + 90/x = 6

    Solve this equation to get value of x.
  • Dec 13, 2007, 07:00 AM
    asterisk_man
    jiten55 is essentially correct. One extra thing to be aware of is that since this will result in a quadratic equation you'll end up with two mathematic solutions for x. However, only one of them will make sense with your problem, you should be able to figure out which one that is and discard the other.
  • Dec 21, 2007, 07:40 AM
    Shy But Nice
    so u feel x = 5.52631578947368
  • Dec 21, 2007, 08:27 AM
    jiten55
    Answer is 45.

    Reason:

    The quadraticd equation reduces to:

    3 x^2 - 140 x + 225 = 0

    It has roots: 45 and 10/3

    Only 45 is is valid, because (x -5 ) should not be negative.

    New Road: 45, Old Road = 40
  • Dec 21, 2007, 08:31 AM
    galactus
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Shy But Nice
    so u feel x = 5.52631578947368

    No, x is a nice integer solution. I will use r for rate.



    Multiply by the GCF, which is r(r+5):

    This results in a quadratic

    Factor:



    Which concurs with Jiten's post. Excellent.

    Of course, ignore the negative solution.

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