Mr. and Mrs. Rivers left their house at 10:00 a. m. driving in opposite directions. Mr. Rivers drove at an average speed of 48 mph and Mrs. Rivers drove at an average speed of 36 mph. How far apart are they at 10:30 a. m.?

42 miles.

Step-by-step explanation:

It is given that Mr. and Mrs. Rivers left their house at 10:00 a. m. driving in opposite directions.

Speed of Mr. Rivers = 48 mph

Speed of Mrs. Rivers = 36 mph

We need to find the distance between them at 10:30 a. m.

10:30 - 10:00 = 0:30 = 30 minutes = 1/2 = 0.5 hour

Distance covered by Mr. Rivers in half hour = 48 * 0.5 = 24

Distance covered by Mrs. Rivers in half hour = 36 * 0.5 = 18

Total distance covered by both in half hour = 24 + 18 = 42

Therefore, they are 42 miles far from each other at 10:30 a. m.