SOLUTION: SO, I was assigned this problem and i am very, very confused, it reads- Cate and Meri decide to run a race. Cate takes off and 4mph. Meri stops to tie her shoe and leaves 15 m

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Travel -> SOLUTION: SO, I was assigned this problem and i am very, very confused, it reads- Cate and Meri decide to run a race. Cate takes off and 4mph. Meri stops to tie her shoe and leaves 15 m      Log On

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Question 872238: SO, I was assigned this problem and i am very, very confused, it reads-
Cate and Meri decide to run a race. Cate takes off and 4mph. Meri stops to tie her shoe and leaves 15 mins. after Cate. Meri runs at 6mph. How long before Meri over takes Cate.
I keep on getting -2 and I know that is not right because you can't have negative time. Please help ASAP
-CB
Answer by josgarithmetic(39621) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
RT=D for rate, time, distance.
Assign some variables, and set a data table.

The description is slightly confusing, but Meri seems to start late. Fifteen minutes is 1%2F4 hour. Meri seems to run for less time than Cate.


________________speed_________time__________distance
Cate____________4_____________t+1/4_________4(t+1/4)=d
Meri____________6______________t____________6t=d

d is distance for which Cate and Meri match, or for which Meri catches up with Cate. t is time in hours that Meri runs when she catches up with Cate.

Both distances are the same.
highlight_green%284%28t%2B1%2F4%29=6t%29.

One might assume that you had some mistakes in analyzing the problem and developing a correct equation allowing the solution. You would solve the shown equation for t.