The price of Stock A at 9 A. M. Was $12.39. Since then, the price has been increasing at the rate of $0.06 each hour. At noon the price of Stock B was $12.89. It begins to decrease at the rate of $0.12 each hour. If the two rates continue, in how many hours will the prices of the two stocks be the same?

2.78 hours

Step-by-step explanation:

Let the number of hours be represented by x

The price of Stock A at 9 A.M. Was $12.39. Since then, the price has been increasing at the rate of $0.06 each hour.

$12.39 + $0.06 × x

12.39 + 0.06x

At noon the price of Stock B was $12.89. It begins to decrease at the rate of $0.12 each hour.

$12.89 - $0.12 × x

12.89 - 0.12x

If the two rates continue, in how many hours will the prices of the two stocks be the same?

We equate the 2 stocks together

12.39 + 0.06x = 12.89 - 0.12x

Collect like terms.

0.06x + 0.12x = 12.89 - 12.39

= 0.18x = 0.5

x = 0.5/0.18

x =2.77777777778hours

The prices of the two stocks be the same in 2.78 hours