Jim began a 256-mile bicycle trip to build up stamina for a triathlete competition. Unfortunately, his bicycle chain broke, so he finished the trip walking. The whole t took 7 hours. If Jim walks at a rate of 5 miles per hour and rides at 39 miles per hour, find the amount of time he spent on the bicycle
Jim rode for hours.

7

step-by-step explanation:

14.3

step-by-step explanation:

add all the numbers together.

9 + 12 + 15 + 16 + 17 + 17 = 86

now, divide 86 by how many numbers we have: 6.

86 / 6 = 14.3

we have three similar triangles, because each has a right angle and shares an angle.   let's write the angles in order: opposite to short leg, long leg, hypotenuse.

cab similar to bad similar to cbd

or as ratios,

ca: ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

we also know

ac = ad + cd

(ad+cd): ab: cb = ba: ad: bd = cb: bd: cd

(ad+cd)/cb=cb/cd

we have cb=6, ad=5 and seek x=cd.

we reject the negative root and conclude x=4

answer: 4