A ship traveled for a total of 147 miles over the course of 8 hours. Heading south, the ship traveled at an average speed of 15 miles per hour, and heading east, it traveled at an average speed of 24 miles per hour. For how many hours was the ship heading south?

Alright

s=number of hours headd south

e=number of hours headed east

s+e=8

and

total is 147 miles

distance=speed times time

15s+24e=147

we got 2 equations

s+e=8

15s+24e=147

subsitution

s+e=8

minus e both sides

s=8-e

subsitut 8-e for s in other equaton

15s+24e=147

15 (8-e) + 24e=147

120-15e+24e=147

120+9e=147

minus 120 both sides

9e=27

divide both isdes by 9

e=3

sub back

s=8-e

s=8-3

s=5

it was headed south 5 miles