SOLUTION: Hi there and thank you in advance, here is my problem. At noon Vladimir and Estragon depart from the same point. Vladimir walks east at a constant rate of 3mph, While Estragon w

Question 804535: Hi there and thank you in advance, here is my problem.
At noon Vladimir and Estragon depart from the same point. Vladimir walks east at a constant rate of 3mph, While Estragon walks north at a constant rate of 2mph. At what time(to the nearest minute) will they be exactly 20miles apart?
So far I have tried 2x + 3y = 20 -> y = 20/3 - 2/3x -> 2x + 3(20/3 - 2/3x) = 20
-> but then I end up with 20 = 20. So I am very confused. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer by mananth(16946) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
one walks at 3 mph
so at given time he is 3t miles away from starting point
Similarly
the other is 2t miles away
they are walking at right angles to each other
At a given time t they form a right angle with the starting point
Use Pythagoras theorem
(3t)^2+(2t)^2= 20^2
9t^2+4t^2=400
13t^2=400
t^2=400/13
t^2= 30.77
t= 5.55 minutes
say 6 minutes
RELATED QUESTIONS
Authur has 3 times as many marbles as Vladimir.if Authur gives Vladimir 6 marbles,Authur... (answered by stanbon)

Hello! Can anyone please answer this. It's about distance/rate problem. two cars are... (answered by jorel1380)

Please help me understand how to do this problem! Thanks sooo much in advance Here is... (answered by solver91311)

Here is my question: [w/{w^2+8w+16}] + [4/{w^2+12w+32}]. I need to add these two... (answered by jsmallt9)

Hi. My name is Allen and I usually have issues with these word problems. Could you please (answered by MathLover1)

I really need your help. Please and Thank you! Two shuttle buses pick up passengers in (answered by Boreal)

I am a Parent helping my child and need guidance to guide them. I would appreciate any... (answered by Earlsdon)

At precisely noon, one plane leaves New York, heading for Orlando, and another leaves... (answered by ankor@dixie-net.com)

Problem In 1981 Vladimir Poliakov set a world record of 19ft3/4in for the pole vault. To (answered by rapaljer)