Two boats leave a port at the same​ time, one going north, the other traveling south. The northbound boat travel 18 mph faster than the southbound boat. If the southbound boat is traveling at 52 ​mph, how long will it be before they are 1586 miles apart?

word problem

1 Answer
Sep 21, 2017

Southbound boat speed is 52mph.
Northbound boat speed is 52 + 18 = 70mph.

Since distance is speed x time let time = #t#

Then:

#52t + 70t = 1586#

solving for #t#

#122t = 1586 => t = 13#

#t = 13# hours

Check:

Southbound (13)(52) = 676
Northbound (13)(70) = 910

676 + 910 = 1586