It takes Maggie 20 min to drive to work in the morning. She drives home using the same route, but it takes 13 min longer, and she averages 8 mi/h less than in the morning. How far does Maggie drive to work?

Answer 1

Important information: the distance is the same each way
rate in the morning --- x mph
rate going home ----- x - 8 mph

D = R x T
in the morning : D = (20/60)x
going home : D = (33/60)(x-8)

(20/60)x = (33/60)(x-8) , multiply both sides by 60
20x = 33x - 264
13x = 264
x = 264/13 mph

so her distance = D = (20/60)(264/13) = 88/13 miles
or appr 6.77 miles