Question 207415
Sue heads due west from Dry Gulch on U.S. 65 at a steady speed of 55 mph (miles per hour) while Don heads due east from Wet Hollow (which is 840 miles west of Dry Gulch) on the same hi-way at 65 mph both start at the same time. After what time did they cross paths.
I would like this solved with respect to time. That is Time traveled by Don to crossing point is equal to time traveled by Sue to crossing point.
:
Let x = Sue's travel dist
then
(840-x) = Don's travel dist
:
Using the time equation
Time = {{{dist/speed}}}
:
S's time = D's time
{{{x/55}}} = {{{((840-x))/65}}}
Cross multiply
65x = 55(840-x)
:
65x = 46200 - 55x
:
65x + 55x = 46200
:
120x = 46200
x = {{{46200/120}}}
x = 385 mi traveled by Sue
and
840 - 385 = 455 mi traveled by Don
:
Then find the time
385/55 = 7 hrs
Check it by finding the time of Don
455/65 = 7 hrs also