To solve this problem, let's first break it down step by step.

Step 1: Convert the time

The time taken for the two cars to meet is given as 1 hour and 20 minutes. Convert 20 minutes into hours: $\text{20 minutes} = \frac{20}{60} \text{ hours} = \frac{1}{3} \text{ hours} \approx 0.333 \text{ hours}$ So, the total time is: $1 \text{ hour } 20 \text{ minutes} = 1 + \frac{1}{3} = \frac{4}{3} \text{ hours}$

Step 2: Set up the relationship between distance, speed, and time

Let the speed of the car starting from A be $v_A$ km/h and the speed of the car starting from B be $v_B$ km/h.

Since the cars are moving towards each other, their relative speed is the sum of their speeds: $v_A + v_B$ The distance between A and B is 80 km, and they meet in $\frac{4}{3}$ hours. According to the relationship: $\text{Distance} = \text{Relative Speed} \times \text{Time}$ We can write: $80 = (v_A + v_B) \times \frac{4}{3}$

Step 3: Solve for the relative speed

To find the relative speed, rearrange the equation: $v_A + v_B = \frac{80 \times 3}{4} = 60 \text{ km/h}$ So, the combined speed of the two cars is 60 km/h.

Step 4: Interpret the result

The sum of the speeds of both cars is 60 km/h. If additional information about the speed of one car were provided, you could determine the exact speeds of each car. However, with the given data, the sum of the speeds is all we can determine.

Summary

The combined speed of the two cars is 60 km/h.

Do you need further details or have any questions? Here are five related questions:

1. If one car was moving 10 km/h faster than the other, what would be their individual speeds?
2. How would the solution change if the distance was 100 km instead of 80 km?
3. What would happen if the cars moved in the same direction instead of towards each other?
4. How would the time taken change if one car started 10 minutes later?
5. What is the impact of a speed limit on such a problem?

Tip: Always convert time units to the same format (hours, minutes) when calculating speed, distance, or time.