Set the other cyclist's speed as x miles per hour. Therefore the slower cyclist's speed is x-8. Their total distance apart each hour is x+x-8=2x-8. Therefore after 4 hours, their speed is 4(2x-8) which is 8x-32. We can set an equation: \(8x-32=144\) since they are 144 miles apart after 4 hours. We add 32 to both sides and divide by 8 into both sides, and we get x= 22mph for the faster bicyclist and 22-8=14 mph for the slower bicyclist.
Answer:
22 mph for faster bicyclist
14 mph for slower bicyclist
-MPS101
P.S. That speed is FAST! I mean, 22mph? How tiring would that be for FOUR hours!