Syracuse and new york city are 240 miles apart. one car left syracuse heading for new york city at an average of 65 mph. a second car left new york city heading to syracuse at 55 mph. how far from syracuse did the cars pass each other?

Let x be the distance from Syracuse where they pass. The first car travels a distance of x in time x/65 while the second car travels a distance 240-x in time (240-x)/55. They pass at the same time after leaving their starting points so x/65=(240-x)/55.
Cross-multiplying we get: 55x=65(240-x)=15600-65x, 120x=15600, x=15600/120=130 miles.
They pass 130 miles from Syracuse.