Math Problem Statement

a car travels 150km. part of the journey is at 90kmph and the rest is at 30kmph. the entire journey takes 3 hours

Solution

Let d1d_1 and d2d_2 represent the distances traveled at 90 km/h and 30 km/h, respectively. We are given the following:

  • The total distance: d1+d2=150kmd_1 + d_2 = 150 \, \text{km}.
  • The total time: t1+t2=3hourst_1 + t_2 = 3 \, \text{hours}, where t1t_1 is the time spent traveling at 90 km/h and t2t_2 is the time spent traveling at 30 km/h.

From the formula time=distancespeed\text{time} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{speed}}, we know:

t1=d190,t2=d230t_1 = \frac{d_1}{90}, \quad t_2 = \frac{d_2}{30}

We now have the system of equations:

  1. d1+d2=150d_1 + d_2 = 150
  2. d190+d230=3\frac{d_1}{90} + \frac{d_2}{30} = 3

Let's solve this system of equations step by step.

Starting with the second equation: d190+d230=3\frac{d_1}{90} + \frac{d_2}{30} = 3

Multiply through by 90 to eliminate the denominators: d1+3d2=270d_1 + 3d_2 = 270

Now we have the system:

  1. d1+d2=150d_1 + d_2 = 150
  2. d1+3d2=270d_1 + 3d_2 = 270

We can subtract the first equation from the second:

(d1+3d2)(d1+d2)=270150(d_1 + 3d_2) - (d_1 + d_2) = 270 - 150 2d2=1202d_2 = 120 d2=60kmd_2 = 60 \, \text{km}

Substitute d2=60d_2 = 60 into the first equation:

d1+60=150d_1 + 60 = 150 d1=90kmd_1 = 90 \, \text{km}

Thus, the car traveled 90 km at 90 km/h and 60 km at 30 km/h.


Would you like further details on this solution or have any questions?

Here are some related questions:

  1. How do we find the time spent at each speed?
  2. What is the average speed for the entire journey?
  3. What would happen if the journey time was longer, but the distance stayed the same?
  4. How can we adjust the formula if the car had multiple speed changes?
  5. Can we model this using a graph of speed vs. time?

Tip: To find total time for a journey with multiple speeds, break the trip into segments based on speed and use the formula time=distancespeed\text{time} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{speed}}.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Distance-Time-Speed Relationships
Systems of Linear Equations

Formulas

Time = Distance / Speed
System of equations: d1 + d2 = total distance
t1 + t2 = total time

Theorems

Linear Equation System Solving

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 8-10