SOLUTION: A bicycle path is 4 miles long. A man walks from one end at the rate of 3 mph. At the same time, a friend bicycles from the other end, traveling at 9 mph. In how many minutes will

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Question 996268: A bicycle path is 4 miles long. A man walks from one end at the rate of 3 mph. At the same time, a friend bicycles from the other end, traveling at 9 mph. In how many minutes will they meet?
Found 2 solutions by josmiceli, lwsshak3:
Answer by josmiceli(19441) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You can think of this as one person
standing still and the other traveling
at the sum of their speeds
-------------------------
Let +t+ = time in hrs when they meet
+4+=+%28+3+%2B+9+%29%2At+
+4+=+12t+
+t+=+1%2F3+
Convert hrs to min
+%281%2F3%29%2A60+=+20+
They will meet in 20 min
----------------------
check:
Let +d+ = distance the walking man
travels in 20 min
+4+-+d+ = distance friend travels
------------------------------
Equation for walker:
+d+=+3t+
+d+=+3%2A%281%2F3%29+
+d+=+1+ mi
---------------
Equation for biker:
+4+-+d+=+9%2A%281%2F3%29+
+4+-+d+=+3+
+d+=+1+ mi
OK

Answer by lwsshak3(11628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
A bicycle path is 4 miles long. A man walks from one end at the rate of 3 mph. At the same time, a friend bicycles from the other end, traveling at 9 mph. In how many minutes will they meet?
let x=time man and friend will meet
speed at which they are approaching each other=9+3=12 mph
Travel time=distance/speed=4/12=1/3 hr
In how many minutes will they meet? 20