word problems

[Guest]

i am REALLY bad at word problems! i think there's something wrong with my brain, like things don't connect when it comes to word problems.
for example:

a simple one like this is driving me crazy and i can't figure out how to do it:

If Mary and John start at the same point and run 26 miles each, but Mary ran it in 144 mins, and John ran it in 124 mins, how fast were each of them going?

if anyone could help me, that would be awesome!

bethanie

 

[Guest]

Mary and John start at the same point and run 26 miles each, but Mary ran it in 144 mins, and John ran it in 124 mins, how fast were each of them going?

let Mary have a speed of "m" miles per min
and John have a speed of "j" miles per min


speed = distance / times

mary's speed m = 26 /144 miles per min

john's speed j = 26 / 124 miles per min

or if you want to work in miles per hour then change the time to hours(ie 144 mins = 2 hours 24 mins = 2 + (24/60) hours = 2.4 hours

etc