Question 780009: Lois and Michael begin walking toward each other on a straight road that is 2 mi long. Lois walks at a greater rate than Michael.
a. When they meet, is the distance walked by Lois less than ,equal to, or greater to,than the distance walked by Michael.
b.when they meet is the time walked by lois less than equal to or greater than the time walked by Michael
c.When they meet, what is the total distance traveled by Lois and Michael.
Answer by ilivea9(5)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! This entire question is testing to see if you know how to comprehend what information is given, and how to define it to use in analytical equations.
Never memorize equations. If you don't comprehend the basic reasons that cause their formation, then you'll always make mistakes/fail.
This problem only wants to be sure you comprehend this statement: d = rt
d = distance traveled
r = rate of travel (aka speed)
t = time passed during entire travel
"d = rt" stated in 'normal language' = You can know how far(distance) someone traveled if multiply how fast (rate of speed) and how long (time) they were going. (e.g., If you travel for 1 hour, going 60mph, you'll go 60 miles).
or "d/t = r" stated in 'normal language' = The rate of speed is how far someone traveled divided by the time they traveled (e.g., 60 miles during 1 hour, or 60mph).
Or "d/r = t" stated in 'normal language' = The time passed during travel is known by dividing the distance by the speed. (e.g., 60 miles, at 60mph = 1 hour).
This math equation (like most) is just full of very short abbreviations of information.
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The data given in the question states
-- there were 2 miles of road between them
-- the road was straight (nobody had hills, turns, mud, etc )
-- they walked toward each other until they finally met
-- Lois had a greater speed
Thus....
a. Greater - Lois walked faster speed (greater rate) between the total distance (d) of 2 miles to meet him in the same time (t) that passed for them both.
b. Same - the same amount of overall time passed for the total 2 miles was the same for them both, [began when they were 2 miles apart, stopped when they both met.]
c. The total distance = 2 miles This was already given in the original question info. Impossible to analyze their individual distances traveled within the 2 miles without more information.
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No math has been done, only definitions and explanations of given information, which is the majority of work in all algebra problems.
Having a clear understanding of all given info/data and know how to define it all with abbreviations (e.g., d, r, or t) in well understood equations is always the hardest part.
Later, when you do have numerical values for d r and t, it's extremely easy to just substitute them in their proper place and do simple math (aka "plug and chug") to get your answer.
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