How do you solve rational equations in the form of a word problem.For example: R

Question

How do you solve rational equations in the form of a word problem.For example:

Rick drives his four-wheel drive truck 40 km/h faster thanSarah drives her Saturn. While Sarah travels 150 km, Rick travels350 km. Find their speeds.

Rick drives his four-wheel drive truck 40 km/h faster thanSarah drives her Saturn. While Sarah travels 150 km, Rick travels350 km. Find their speeds. Rick drives his four-wheel drive truck 40 km/h faster thanSarah drives her Saturn. While Sarah travels 150 km, Rick travels350 km. Find their speeds.

Explanation / Answer

First look at the information you are given. In yourexample you are given the distance Rick travels(350km) when Sarah travels a distance of 150km. You knowthat Rick drives at a speed 40km greater than Sarah. So if welet s be Sarah"s speed then Rick's speed is s+40. Next what relationship can be expressed between speed anddistance? We know distance=speed x time Let t be the time traveled, then 150=st or t=150/s........................................................(1) and 350=(s+40)t....................................................................(2) Substituting (1) into (2) we find s=30km/h for Sarah. Hence 40+30=70km/h forRick.

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