Problema Solution
two runners, one averaging 5 miles per hour and the other averaging 4 miles per hour, start at the same place and run along the same trail. the slower runner arrives at the end of the trail a half hour after the faster runner. how far did each person run?
Answer provided by our tutors
let
v1 = 5 mph the speed of the first runner
v2 = 4 mph the speed of the second runner
t1 = the time of the first runner
t2 = the time of the second runner
the slower runner arrives at the end of the trail a half hour after the faster runner:
t2 = t1 + 0.5
the distance = speed*time and since they run the same distance we have:
v1*t1 = v2*t2
5t1 = 4t2
plug t2 = t1 + 0.5 into the last equation:
5t1 = 4(t1 + 0.5)
by solving we find:
t1 = 2 hr
click here to see the step by step solution of the equation:
v1*t1 = 5*2 = 10 mi
each person ran 10 miles.