Solving for Original Speed in a Changing Velocity Problem

[xsc614]

Can someone help me with this problem?

Driving along a crowded freeway, you notice that it takes a time t to go from one mile marker to the next. When you increase your speed by 4.5 mi/h, the time to go one mile decreases by 11 s. What was your original speed?

I cannot figure out how to do this problem, just the method alone would be very helpful. I kept thinking the original mile had to be in 60 sec, and I just can't figure out how to clearly go about this problem. Please help!

 

[berkeman]

Use some variables to help you get going. What is the definition of speed? It's distance covered in some amount of time, right? So use V1 for the initial velocity, T1 the 11 second time, and the known D1=1 mi.

Then V2 = V1 + 4.5 mi/h, and T2 = T1 - 11 s, and the distance is the same.

Does that help?

 

[xsc614]

Thats basically restating what the problem says. Are there any formulas to relate them to each other, like proportions? This problem seems impossible to answer without knowing like the time it took for the first mile or some other piece of info.

 

[ranger]

Thats basically restating what the problem says. Are there any formulas to relate them to each other, like proportions? This problem seems impossible to answer without knowing like the time it took for the first mile or some other piece of info.

Then V2 = V1 + 4.5 mi/h, and T2 = T1 - 11 s, and the distance is the same.

With the info that berkeman listed, I don't see how you can't the clue. You are asked to find V1:

V1 = d/T1
V2 = d/T2

Cant you use the data that's listed and make things a little simpler?

 

[berkeman]

Thats basically restating what the problem says. Are there any formulas to relate them to each other, like proportions? This problem seems impossible to answer without knowing like the time it took for the first mile or some other piece of info.

ranger and I are doing our best, xsc. This an algebra problem. Show us the algrebra equations that you are having problems with, and we will try to offer help at the algebra level. You know that we do not offer solutions, correct?