Answer: 40 mph
Step-by-step explanation: let s = speed in traffic
(s+17) = out of traffic
:
Write a time equation; time = dist/speed
traffic time + normal speed time = 4 hrs
46%2Fs + 80%2F%28%28s%2B17%29%29 = 4
multiply by s(s+17) to cancel the denominators
46(s+17) + 80s = 4s(s+17)
46s + 782 + 80s = 4s^2 + 68s
126s + 782 = 4s^2 + 68s
Arrange as a quadratic equation on the right
2s^2 - 29s - 391 = 0
Use the quadratic formula a=2; b=-29; c=-391
I got a positive solution of
s = 23 mph in traffic
:
:
:
Check this by finding the actual times. Normal speed: 23 + 17 = 40 mph
46/23 = 2 hrs in traffic
80/40 = 2 hrs at normal speed
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total time 4 hrs
0 = 4s^2 + 68s - 126s - 782
4s^2 - 58s - 782 = 0
simplify, divide by 2
so the answer is 40mph