Algebra

Let's use the "distance = rate (or speed) times time". Let's suppose that d represents the distance to the beach and t represents the time taken to drive to the beach at 40 mph.Then we can represent what we said as these equations:

$d = 40 \times t$

$d = 55 \times (t - 5/12)$

We can now simplify these equations and solve for d like this:

$d = 55t - 275/12$

$55t - 275/12= 40t$

$15t= 275/12$

$t = 55/36$

$d = 55/36 \times 40$

$d = 550/9$

So the distance you will drive will be 550/9 miles.