SOLUTION: bob leaves home in Chicago at 9a.m. and travels east at a steady 60 mph. Susan, 400 miles to the east in Pittsburgh leaves at the same time and travels west at a steady 40 mph. wh

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: bob leaves home in Chicago at 9a.m. and travels east at a steady 60 mph. Susan, 400 miles to the east in Pittsburgh leaves at the same time and travels west at a steady 40 mph. wh      Log On

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Question 1092560: bob leaves home in Chicago at 9a.m. and travels east at a steady 60 mph.
Susan, 400 miles to the east in Pittsburgh leaves at the same time and travels west at a steady 40 mph. where will they meet?
Found 2 solutions by josgarithmetic, josmiceli:
Answer by josgarithmetic(39630) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
60x%2B40x=400

x=4

1 PM

240 miles to the east of Bob's home

Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Their speeds will add since they
are going in opposite directions
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You can think of this as Susan standing
still and Bob traveling at the sum of their speeds
Let +t+ = time in hrs for them to meet
---------------------------------------------
+400+=+%28+60+%2B+40+%29%2At+
+100t+=+400+
+t+=+4+ hrs
-----------------------
In 4 hrs, Bob travels
+d%5B1%5D+=+60%2A4+
+d%5B1%5D+=+240+
----------------------
In 4 hrs, Susan travels
+d%5B2%5D+=+40%2A4+
+d%5B2%5D+=+160+
-----------------------
check:
+d%5B1%5D+%2B+d%5B2%5D+=+240+%2B+160+
+d%5B1%5D+%2B+d%5B2%5D+=+400+ mi
-----------------------------
They will meet 240 mi from Chicago
and 160 mi from Pittsburgh