document.write( "Question 204111: A thief is 20 steps ahead of a cop , and takes 6 steps while the cop takes 5, but 5 of the cop's steps equal 8 of the thief's; how far will the thief run before he is caught? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #154168 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) $\"\"$ $\"About$

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A thief is 20 steps ahead of a cop , and takes 6 steps while the cop takes 5,
\n" ); document.write( " but 5 of the cop's steps equal 8 of the thief's; how far will the thief run
\n" ); document.write( " before he is caught?
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Let x = distance of 1 step by the thief
\n" ); document.write( "Then
\n" ); document.write( " $\"8%2F5\"$ = 1.6x; the cop's step distance
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Write a distance equation:
\n" ); document.write( "5(1.6x) = 6x + 20
\n" ); document.write( "8x - 6x = 20
\n" ); document.write( "2x = 20
\n" ); document.write( "x = 10 units; distance of 1 step
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "6(10) = 60 units traveled by the thief, when he is caught
\n" ); document.write( "5(1.6*10)) = 80 units traveled by the cop (started out 20 steps behind)
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