SOLUTION: Maureen sets off on a walk at 6km/h. Ten minutes later, her brother John sets off after her on his bicycle at 15 km/h. How far must john go to catch up with Maureen?

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Question 766779: Maureen sets off on a walk at 6km/h. Ten minutes later, her brother John sets off after her on his bicycle at 15 km/h. How far must john go to catch up with Maureen?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39617) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Maureen traveled a distance already in ten minutes before John began. Maureen already went 6%2A%2810%2F60%29 km. This is 1 km.

Maureen and John then both travel for some equal time which we not yet know; and their total distances become equal. Let h be the amount of time in hours that they travel simultaneously. Make a data table:

SIBLING__________speed_________time___________distance
Maureen__________6_____________h+1/6___________(__)
John_____________15____________h______________(__)

What can we do about the unknown distance for them?
r*t=d or in the variables chosen, r*h=d.
10 minutes is 1%2F6 hour.

SIBLING__________speed_________time___________distance
Maureen__________6_____________h%2B1%2F6___________%286%28h%2B1%2F6%29%29
John_____________15____________h______________%2815h%29


When John reaches Maureen, they have both gone equal distances, so the equation is to equate their distance expressions.

highlight%286%28h%2B1%2F6%29=15h%29 and a reminder, h is in hours. Solve for h and then distance can easily be computed.