Question 534266: There are two cities, X and Y, on opposite sides of a lake. A motorboat leaves X heading for Y as the same time a motorboat leaves Y heading for X. They travel at constant but different speeds. The boats pass each other 500m from X. After reaching their destinations, they turn around and head back to their original cities at the same speed they travelled at before. They pass each other again 300m from Y. How wide is the lake between X and Y? What is the relationship between the speeds of the two boats?
Not really sure how to find the relationship between the speeds of the two boats at all. We were told to 'remember the rules and the rubric' but not sure what that means either after searching the internet. Any help asap would be much appreciated!
Answer by scott8148(6628)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! x is from X, y is from Y ___ t = d / r
500 / x = (w - 500) / y ___ 500 / (w - 500) = x / y
(w + 300) / x = (2w - 300) / y ___ (w + 300) / (2w - 300) = x / y
500 / (w - 500) = (w + 300) / (2w - 300)
"cross" multiply and solve for w, then substitute back to find x/y
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