SOLUTION: Two bicyclists start toward each other at the same time from two places 240 miles apart, one traveling at 8 mph and the other 12 mph. At the same time a fly leaves the front of th
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Question 498393: Two bicyclists start toward each other at the same time from two places 240 miles apart, one traveling at 8 mph and the other 12 mph. At the same time a fly leaves the front of the wheel of one bicycle at a rate of 16 mph. As soon as it touches the other front wheel, the fly turns around and flies back toward the first bicycle again. This zigzag motion is continued until the front of the wheels of the bicycles meet. How far has the fly traveled?
Answer by solver91311(24713) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
If one bicycle had a speed of 8 mph and the other had a speed of 12 mph, then they had a speed of 20 mph relative to each other. That means that they would cover the 240 mile distance between them in 12 hours (using 
). Presuming that the fly maintained a constant speed of 16 mph (and never had to slow down to turn around) then the fly travelled (using 
) 16 times 12 = 192 miles.
John
My calculator said it, I believe it, that settles it
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