Phoenix hiked the Rocky Path Trail last week. It took four days to complete the trip. The first two days she hiked a total of 22 miles. The second and third days she averaged 18 miles per day. The last two days she hiked a total of 30 miles. The total hike for the first and third days was 26 miles. How many miles long was the trail?
+1224 Let the miles she walked on the first day be a, miles walked on the second day be b, and so on.
first 2 days, she hiked a total of 22 miles ==> a + b = 22
2nd and 3rd days, averaged 18 mi/day ==> (b + c)/2 = 36
last two days, hiked total of 30 miles ==> c + d = 30
first and third days ==> a + c = 26
We have four equations and four variables, so we can solve. I hope this gets you started.
