SOLUTION: A bicycle path is 6 miles long. A man walks from one end at the rate of 3 mph. At the same time, a friend bicycles from the other end, traveling at 15 mph. In how many minutes will

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: A bicycle path is 6 miles long. A man walks from one end at the rate of 3 mph. At the same time, a friend bicycles from the other end, traveling at 15 mph. In how many minutes will      Log On

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Question 1051961: A bicycle path is 6 miles long. A man walks from one end at the rate of 3 mph. At the same time, a friend bicycles from the other end, traveling at 15 mph. In how many minutes will they meet?

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You can think of this as one of them ( either one )
standing still and the other one approching at the
sum of their speeds
-------------------------------
Let +t+ = time in hrs until they meet
+6+=+%28+3+%2B+15+%29%2At+
+6+=+18t+
+t+=+1%2F3+ hrs
[ hrs ] x [ min/hr ] = [ min ]
+%281%2F3%29%2A%2860%2F1%29+=+20+
They will meet in 20 min
--------------------------
check answer:
+d%5B1%5D+=+3%2A%281%2F3%29+
+d%5B1%5D+=+1+ mi
and
+d%5B2%5D+=+15%2A%281%2F3%29+
+d%5B2%5D+=+5+ mi
-----------------------
+d%5B1%5D+%2B+d%5B2%5D+=+1+%2B+5+
+d%5B1%5D+%2B+d%5B2%5D+=+6+ mi
OK