Question

two cars are traveling in the same direction. The first car is going 40 mi/h, and the second car is going 55 mi/h. the first car left 3 hours before the second car. which equation could you solve to find how many hours it will take for the second car to catch up to the first car?

Answer 1

8 hours

Explanation:

first car: speed=40, time=(t+3), distance=s1

second car: speed=55, time=t, distance=s2

speed=distance/time

distance=speed×time

s1=40×(t+3)

s2=55×t

since the cars would travel the same distance; s1=s2

40(t+3) = 55t

40t+120 = 55t

15t = 120

t=8