Question 1163724
Howard walks 2 steps each second, and Bobby walks 3
steps each second.
<pre>
They are going the wrong way, up the down escalator. Suppose the escalator
moves x steps per second. Then the escalator slows them down by x steps per
second.
</pre>
Howard walks 2 steps each second, and Bobby walks 3 steps each second. 
<pre>
So Howard's actual rate on the moving escalator is 2 - x steps/second, 
And Bobby's actual rate on the moving escalator is 3 - x steps/second
</pre>
It takes Howard 60 seconds while it takes Bobby 30 seconds to get to the 2nd
floor.
<pre>
distance = rate∙time, so

Howard's distance (in steps) = Bobby's distance (in steps), so

60(2 - x) = 30(3 - x)
 
Solve that, get x = 1 steps/second, the speed of the escalator.

distance = rate∙time, so 60(2 - 1) = 60(1) = 60 steps = height of the
escalator in steps = the distance between the two floors, in escalator
steps.
</pre>
How long does it take them to walk to the 2nd floor if the escalator is not moving?
<pre>
Howard's time to go 60 steps at the rate 2 steps/second on the stopped
escalator = distance/rate = 60/2 = 30 seconds.

And Bobby's time to go 60 steps at the rate 3 steps/second on the stopped
escalator = distance/rate = 60/3 = 20 seconds. 

Edwin</pre>