SOLUTION: Points A and B are 200 mi apart. A cyclist started from point A and a motorcyclist started from point B, moving towards each other.The speed of the cyclist was 17 mph, the speed of

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Question 1105547: Points A and B are 200 mi apart. A cyclist started from point A and a motorcyclist started from point B, moving towards each other.The speed of the cyclist was 17 mph, the speed of motorcyclist was 83 mph. At what distance from point A will they meet?
Answer by ikleyn(52920)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
1 - One-line solution, Physics style

    The distance under the question is  = 17*2 = 34 miles.


2 - One-line solution, Physics style with more explanations

    The distance under the question is  = 17*2 = 34 miles.

        Explanations.

    17+83 = 100 mph in the denominator is the relative speed of the participants, i.e. the rate of decreasing the distance between them.


     =  = 2 hours is the time before they meet.


    Thus   is "at what distance from point A will they meet".


3 - Algebra style solution using equation

    The equation is

    17*t + 83*t = 200,

    which says that the sum of the distances each participant covers before they meet is equal to the total initial distance of 200 miles.


    From the equation,

    t = 

    is the time to get the meeting point.


    Hence,    is the distance from the point A which the cyclist will cover when they meet each other, 
exactly as it was explained in Solutions 1 and 2.

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For the introductory lessons on Travel and Distance see the lessons
    - Travel and Distance problems
    - Travel and Distance problems for two bodies moving in opposite directions
    - Travel and Distance problems for two bodies moving in the same direction (catching up)
in this site.


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