Stu hiked a trail at an average rate of 3 miles per hour. He ran back on the same trail at an average rate of 5 miles per hour. He traveled for a total of 3 hours.Which equation can be used to find the time it took Stu to hike the trail?

Let t be the number of hours Stu spent hiking. Since his total travel time was 3 hours, he spent 3 − t hours running. The hiking distance was 3t miles, and the running distance was 5(3 − t) miles. Because he traveled the same trail in both directions, these distances are equal, giving 3t = 5(3 − t).

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