Thread: Algebra speed problem

It took a cyclist 6 h to travel 48 mi going against the wind. The next day on the return trip, it took the cyclist 3 h traveling with the wind. What was the speed of the cyclist?

Also they say i need to make some chart so if you know of any charts to solve this problem please post them.

Originally Posted by sp0rtskid55

It took a cyclist 6 h to travel 48 mi going against the wind. The next day on the return trip, it took the cyclist 3 h traveling with the wind. What was the speed of the cyclist?

Also they say i need to make some chart so if you know of any charts to solve this problem please post them.

Say the speed of the wind is V (in mph). If the cyclist's speed without the wind is v (in mph), then we know that the cyclist's speed with the wind is v + V and against it is v - V. So


and


Solving the bottom equation for V:


and inserting this value of V into the top equation:






-Dan