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?

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Answer 1 · 2017-09-21T01:30:17

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