SOLUTION: A cyclist leaves his training base for a morning workout, riding at the rate of 16 mph. One and one-half hours later, his support staff leaves the base in a car going 40 mph in the
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Question 1202697: A cyclist leaves his training base for a morning workout, riding at the rate of 16 mph. One and one-half hours later, his support staff leaves the base in a car going 40 mph in the same direction. How long will it take the support staff to catch up with the cyclist? Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, josgarithmetic:Answer by ikleyn(52803) (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! .
A cyclist leaves his training base for a morning workout, riding at the rate of 16 mph.
One and one-half hours later, his support staff leaves the base in a car going 40 mph
in the same direction. How long will it take the support staff to catch up with the cyclist?
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Let t be the time for the support staff to catch up the cyclist
So, x is the unknown value under the problems question.
Thus the support staff moves during t hours;
the cyclist moves during (t+1.5) hours.
The travel distance is the same for both of them
So, we write the distance equation
40*t = 16(t+1.5).
The equation is ready. To solve it, simplify step by step
40t = 16t + 24
40t - 16t = 24
24t = 24
t = 24/24 = 1 hour.
ANSWER. The support staff will catch up with the cyclist in 1 hour.
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