I need some algebra help here

Factual Questions
1

First, if you look at my posting history, You will see that I’m not looking for answers to any homework. :slight_smile:
Working with a friend on this and keep getting stumped. I know the answer but having a problem working the equation.

Two cyclists competed in a 5 mile bike race. The more experienced cyclist gave the novelist cyclist a head start of .6 mile and still won the race by 2 minutes. If the experienced cyclist’s average speed was 3 MPH faster than the novice’s average speed than what was the novices average speed?

2

as you wrote it. a six mile head start in a five mile race!

3

“As he wrote it?” Is that why he’s a novelist?

I believe that’s point-six miles, not six miles.

Anyway, if this ain’t your homework, it’s gotta be someone’s homework.

distance = time x rate, right?

So, you know the distance for both of them. You don’t know the time for one of them, but you do know the time for the other is two minutes longer. You don’t know the speed for one of them, but you do know the speed for the other was 3 MPH faster. So, two unknowns, two equations–you should be able to solve it. The tricky part is setting up those two equations, right?

4

t=d/v

v = velocity of the experienced rider

For the novice:
2min*hour/60min = 1/30hour

d/(v-3) - 1/30 = t

5mile - 0.6mile = 4.4mile

4.4/(v - 3) = t[sub]novice[/sub]

For the experienced rider:
t[sub]experienced[/sub] = 5/v

t[sub]e[/sub]-t[sub]n[/sub] = -1/30
5/v - 4.4/(v - 3) = -1/30

It’s basic algebra from here.