Gabriella drives her car 320 miles and averages a certain speed. If the average speed has been 6 miles less she could have traveled only 280 miles in the same length of time. What is her average speed?

Answer :

Answer:

Her average speed is 48 miles per hour.

Step-by-step explanation:

We solve this question using a system of equations.

The speed equation is:

[tex]s = \frac{d}{t}[/tex]

In which s is the speed, d is the distance, and t is the time.

Gabriella drives her car 320 miles and averages a certain speed.

So [tex]d = 320[/tex]

Then

[tex]s = \frac{320}{t}[/tex]

If the average speed has been 6 miles less she could have traveled only 280 miles in the same length of time.

So, which s - 6, d = 280.

[tex]s - 6 = \frac{280}{t}[/tex]

From the first equation:

[tex]s = \frac{320}{t}[/tex]

[tex]st = 320[/tex]

[tex]t = \frac{320}{s}[/tex]

Replacing:

[tex]s - 6 = \frac{280}{t}[/tex]

[tex]s - 6 = \frac{280}{\frac{320}{s}}[/tex]

[tex]320(s - 6) = 280s[/tex]

[tex]320s - 1920 = 280s[/tex]

[tex]40s = 1920[/tex]

[tex]s = \frac{1920}{40}[/tex]

[tex]s = 48[/tex]

Her average speed is 48 miles per hour.

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