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Let's solve the problem step by step.

### Given:
- Distance between two towns = 950 kilometers
- Time taken for the cars to meet = 5 hours
- One car’s speed is 18 km/h slower than the other’s speed.
  
Let the speed of the slower car be \( x \) km/h. Then, the speed of the faster car will be \( x + 18 \) km/h.

### Step 1: Equation setup
Since they are traveling toward each other, the total distance they cover together in 5 hours will be the sum of their speeds times the time. The equation for the total distance is:
\[
\text{Distance} = (\text{Speed of slower car} + \text{Speed of faster car}) \times \text{Time}
\]
\[
950 = (x + (x + 18)) \times 5
\]

### Step 2: Simplify the equation
\[
950 = (2x + 18) \times 5
\]
\[
950 = 10x + 90
\]

### Step 3: Solve for \( x \)
\[
950 - 90 = 10x
\]
\[
860 = 10x
\]
\[
x = \frac{860}{10} = 86
\]

Thus, the rate of the slower car is **86 km/h**.

Would you like more details or have any questions? Here are some related questions:

1. What is the speed of the faster car?
2. How long would it take the slower car to travel 950 km alone?
3. If the distance were 1,200 km instead, how would that affect the time to meet?
4. What would happen if the faster car was 30 km/h faster instead of 18 km/h?
5. How can we generalize this method to other situations involving relative speeds?

**Tip:** When solving problems involving two objects moving toward each other, always add their speeds to calculate the relative speed.

Two cars leave towns 950 kilometers apart at the same time and travel toward each other. One car's rate is 18 kilometers per hour less than the other's. If they meet in 5 hours, what is the rate of the slower car? Do not do any rounding.

Learn how to calculate the speed of two cars traveling toward each other over a distance of 950 km. One car travels 18 km/h slower than the other, and they meet in 5 hours. This problem involves algebraic concepts and relative speed calculations. Suitable for Grades 8-10.

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