55x + 60x = 230

115x= 230

x = 2

To check:

(55 x 2) + (60 x 2) = 230 + 55 = 285

this is saying that every hour the car travels 55 miles

car 2= 60x-60

this is saying that every hour the car travels 60 miles, but 60 miles are subtracted because it left an hour later.

x represents each hour.

55x+60x-60

use a guess and check method. by filling in the blanks to the above eqaution. adding the to cars tells how many miles apart each car is

choose 1 hour first.:

55(1)+60(1)-60=55

this means the cars are 50 miles apart.

now try 2 hours since 1 hour is far from your goal of 285 miles.

55(2)+60(2)-60=170

since this didnt reach your goal yet try 3 hours

55(3)+60(3)-60=285