SOLUTION: Two buses are driving along parallel freeways that are 5𝑚𝑖 apart, one heading east and the other heading west. Assuming that each bus drives a constant 55𝑚𝑝ℎ, find th

Question 1139968: Two buses are driving along parallel freeways that are 5𝑚𝑖 apart, one heading east and the other heading west. Assuming that each bus drives a constant 55𝑚𝑝ℎ, find the rate at which the distance between the buses is changing when they are 13𝑚𝑖 part, heading toward each other.
Answer by KMST(5328) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If we count time from the moment the buses are approaching each other but still 13 miles apart, the distance (in miles) between the buses as a function of time (in hours) is

As the buses are passing each other, their distance is about 5 miles, and not changing very sharply. When they are very far from each other their distance is changing by almost 110mph. At a time , the rate of change (in mph) for the distance between the buses is the value of the derivative of the function above.
That derivative, or is the function
, and its value at is
.
It is a negative value, because the distance is decreasing, and in absolute value is approximately .
When the buses are at 13 miles from each other, approaching each other, the distance between them is decreasing at .
RELATED QUESTIONS
Two buses leave the station at teh same time, one heading east and the other west. The... (answered by nyc_function)

Two buses leave a town heading in opposite directions. One bus travels east at 63 mph.... (answered by josgarithmetic)

Two cars leave the same city, one heading north and the other heading west. The first car (answered by checkley77)

two cars leave the same day one heading north and the other heading west. the first car... (answered by dabanfield)

Andy is driving in a straight line on the freeway heading east. Morgan is driving on the (answered by josmiceli)

2 trains leave the station at the same time, one heading east and the other west. The... (answered by mananth)

Two trains leave the station at the same time, one heading east and the other heading... (answered by josgarithmetic)

If two vessels are traveling towards each other, one heading east at 40 knots with a 10... (answered by Alan3354)