SOLUTION: It takes guy 55 sec to run around a track. It takes henry 62 sec to do the same. If they started at the same point but ran in the opposite direction, how long would it take for the

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: It takes guy 55 sec to run around a track. It takes henry 62 sec to do the same. If they started at the same point but ran in the opposite direction, how long would it take for the      Log On

Ad: Over 600 Algebra Word Problems at edhelper.com


   



Question 714776: It takes guy 55 sec to run around a track. It takes henry 62 sec to do the same. If they started at the same point but ran in the opposite direction, how long would it take for them to meet each other?
Answer by josgarithmetic(39630) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The sum of their distances equals "the track". Also, if the track were stretched straight and Guy and Henry started at opposite endpoints, their distance is reduced according to the addition of their individual speeds.

______________speed______________time_______________Track
Guy___________%281%2F55%29______________55________________1
Henry_________%281%2F62%29______________62________________1
AtSameTime____1%2F55%2B1%2F62__________( ? )______________1

That time missing as a question mark is what we want to find. The runners are effectively moving toward a meeting point at that combined speed and the total distance they will move will be 1 track.

Time=Track/Speed
1%2F%281%2F55%2B1%2F62%29 seconds
=1%2F%28%2862%2B55%29%2F%2862%2A55%29%29
=%2862%2A55%29%2F%2862%2B55%29
=3410%2F117
= 29 seconds