document.write( "Question 638443: Two contestants run a 440-yard course. The first wins by 4 seconds when given a head start of 200 feet. They finish together when the first is given a head start of 40 yards. Find the speed of each in feet per second. \r
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document.write( "I tried to solve by using the formula D (distance)= s (speed) x t (time).
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document.write( "But I come up with two equations for each situation. Converting yards to feet: 440yards=1320 feet:
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document.write( "runner #1: s(t-4)=1120 (wins by 4 seconds)
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document.write( "runner #2: s(t)=1320 \r
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document.write( "and for the second situation:
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document.write( "runner #1: s(t)=1200 (given a 40 yard=120feet head start: 1320-120=1200 feet).
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document.write( "runner #2 s(t)=1320
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document.write( "then solving for s: s=1320/t and substituting 1320/t(t-4)=1120 and solving for t, 1320t-5280=1120t, t=26.4 secs, then s=1320/t and s=1320/26.4= 50ft/sec. \r
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document.write( "Now, obviously a human cannot run at that speed, so this does not seem like a plausible answer, and I cannot figure out why I have four equations, I also tried to use different combinations but this didn't work either. So, I trust someone with better mathematical acumen can come up with a better solution. Thank you so kindly for trying to solve this problem. I look forward to the correct solution and appreciate your time and assistance. \r
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Algebra.Com's Answer #402200 by MathTherapy(10552)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! \n" ); document.write( "Two contestants run a 440-yard course. The first wins by 4 seconds when given a head start of 200 feet. They finish together when the first is given a head start of 40 yards. Find the speed of each in feet per second. \r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "I tried to solve by using the formula D (distance)= s (speed) x t (time). \n" ); document.write( "But I come up with two equations for each situation. Converting yards to feet: 440yards=1320 feet: \n" ); document.write( "runner #1: s(t-4)=1120 (wins by 4 seconds) \n" ); document.write( "runner #2: s(t)=1320 \r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "and for the second situation: \n" ); document.write( "runner #1: s(t)=1200 (given a 40 yard=120feet head start: 1320-120=1200 feet). \n" ); document.write( "runner #2 s(t)=1320 \n" ); document.write( "then solving for s: s=1320/t and substituting 1320/t(t-4)=1120 and solving for t, 1320t-5280=1120t, t=26.4 secs, then s=1320/t and s=1320/26.4= 50ft/sec. \r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Now, obviously a human cannot run at that speed, so this does not seem like a plausible answer, and I cannot figure out why I have four equations, I also tried to use different combinations but this didn't work either. So, I trust someone with better mathematical acumen can come up with a better solution. Thank you so kindly for trying to solve this problem. I look forward to the correct solution and appreciate your time and assistance. \r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Let the speed of the 1st runner be \n" ); document.write( "The course is 440 yards, or 1,320 feet \n" ); document.write( "Since the 1st gets a headstart of 200 feet, then the 1st travels 1,320 – 200, or 1,120 feet\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Time taken by 1st to go 1,120 feet, plus time won by, equals time taken by 2nd to go 1,320 ft, OR\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Since the 1st gets a headstart of 40 yards, or 120 feet, then the 1st travels 1,320 – 120, or 1,200 feet\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Time taken by 1st to go 1,200 feet equals time taken by 2nd to go 1,320 ft, OR\r \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Therefore, \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "You can do the check!!\r \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "\n" ); document.write( "Send comments and “thank-yous” to “D” at MathMadEzy@aol.com \n" ); document.write( " |