SOLUTION: two hikers (a and b) are walking along a marked trail the first hiker a starts at a point 6 mi from the beginning of the trail and walks at a speed of 4 mph at the same time the se

Algebra ->  Graphs -> SOLUTION: two hikers (a and b) are walking along a marked trail the first hiker a starts at a point 6 mi from the beginning of the trail and walks at a speed of 4 mph at the same time the se      Log On


   

Question 818628: two hikers (a and b) are walking along a marked trail the first hiker a starts at a point 6 mi from the beginning of the trail and walks at a speed of 4 mph at the same time the second hiker b starts 1 mi from the beginning of the trail and walks at a speed of 3 miph. How would I write an equation to model this situation? And how would I graph this and would there be an intersection point?
Answer by richwmiller(17219) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You didn't say if they are walking towards each other or walking in the same direction away from the beginning of the trail.
if they are walking in the same direction they will never meet
because a is already 5 miles ahead and walking faster
r*t=d
rate
y=mx+b
y=rt+b
y=4t+6 first hiker
y=3t+1 second hiker
set them equal and see if there is a solution
if there is a solution it is the intersection
The solution is minus -5 which means they might have met 5 hours ago.
If they are walking towards each other
6-1=5
4t+3t=5
7t=5
t=5/7 hours they will meet after hiking 5/7 hours