Applications of Rational Equations Forum

In section 7.5 you worked with applications that use rational equations to solve them.

For this forum, you will solve a problem involving a rational equation. You will work in groups to complete this task. There are multiple due dates!

DUE TUES: Select a problem from the 6 problems given below and post the problem and solution into your group forum. For your solution:

Describe the variable you will use in your equation
Identify the equation that you used and describe what it represents
Solve the equation
Answer the question being asked (Be sure to label!)
Include any questions you have about the problem and/or process you used to solve

DUE THURS: Respond to at least two of your group member posts addressing the following:

Is it clear to you what the variable represents
Does the equation make sense to you? Is there another equation that could have been used?
Is the equation solved correctly? Why or why not?
Is the solution correct and labeled correctly?

DUE SAT: Respond to the posts you received on your problem? Did the responses provide any information that would make you change the way you approached this problem? Why or why not?

Problems

A plane has a speed of 300 miles per hour in still air. Find the speed of the wind if the plane traveled a distance of 680 miles with a tailwind in the same time it took to travel 520 miles into the headwind.
An electrician can install the electric wires in a house in 14 hours. A second electrician requires 18 hours. How long would it take both electricians working together to install the wires?
During the first part of a six-hour trip, you travel 240 miles at an average speed of r miles per hour. For the next 72 miles of the trip, you increase your speed by 3 miles per hour. What were your two average speeds?
The flow rate of one pipe is 1 ¼ times that of another pipe. A swimming pool can be filled in 5 hours using both pipes. Find the time required to fill the pool using only the pipe with the lower flow rate.
One person runs 2 miles per hour faster than another person. The first person runs 5 miles in the same time the second person runs 4 miles. Find the speed of each person.
With only the cold water valve open, it takes 8 minutes to fill the tub of a washing machine. With both the hot and cold water valves open, it takes only 5 minutes. How long will it take the tub to fill with only the hot water valve open?