Two commuters leave the similar city at the same time but travel in opposite directions. One car is traveling at an average speed of 63 miles per hour, and the other car is traveling at an average speed of 59 miles per hour. How many hours will it take before the cars are 610 miles apart?

Let t = the amount of time traveled. By Using the formula distance = rate × time, substitute the rates of each car and multiply through t to ?nd out the distance traveled by each car. Thus, 63t distance traveled through one car and 59t distance traveled by the other car. Since the cars are traveling in opposite directions, the total distance traveled through both cars is the sum of these distances: 63t + 59t. Set this equal to the total distance of 610 miles: 63t + 59t = 610. Combine such as terms on the left side of the 122t/ 610 equation: 122t = 610. Divide each side of the equation by 122: 122/122 = 610/122; the variable is now alone: t = 5. In 5 hours, the cars will be 610 miles apart.