SOLUTION: How do you make an equation out of this word problem? Robin Banks robs a bank and drives off. A short time later, he passes a truck stop at which police officer, Willie Katchup

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Question 828190: How do you make an equation out of this word problem?
Robin Banks robs a bank and drives off. A short time later, he passes a truck stop at which police officer, Willie Katchup is dining. Willie receives a call from a dispatcher, and takes off 5 minutes after Robin went by. Robin is driving at 60 mph. WIllie is driving at 80 mph. How long does it take Willie to catch robin.

Answer by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740) About Me  (Show Source):
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he passes a truck stop at which police officer, Willie Katchup is dining. Willie receives a call from a dispatcher, and takes off 5 minutes after Robin went by. Robin is driving at 60 mph. WIllie is driving at 80 mph. How long does it take Willie to catch robin.
:
since we are using mph, we have to change 5 min to hrs: 5/60 = 1/12 hr
let t = travel time of the cop
Robin travels 5 min longer therefore
(t+1%2F12) = Robins travel time
:
When the cop catches Robin, they will have traveled the same distance
write a distance equation; dist = speed * time
:
80t = 60(t+1%2F12)
12 cancels into 60
80t = 60t + 5
80t - 20t = 5
20t = 5
t = 5%2F20
t = 1%2F4 hr which is 15 min for cop to catch robin