Final answer:
John and Ramona are closing in on each other on a collision course with a combined speed of 35 mph over a distance of 24 miles. After doing the calculation, we find that it will take them approximately 41.14 minutes to meet.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find out how long it will take John and Ramona to meet, we can assume they are moving towards each other on a collision course. We do this by adding their speeds together since they are moving in opposite directions. John cycles at a speed of 20 mph and Ramona cycles at 15 mph, so the combined speed at which they are closing in on each other is 20 mph + 15 mph = 35 mph.
The distance between them is 24 miles. To calculate the time it takes for them to meet, we divide the total distance by their combined speed:
Time = Distance / Speed
Time = 24 miles / 35 mph
Time = 0.6857 hours
Since time is often represented in minutes, we multiply the decimal by 60:
0.6857 hours * 60 minutes/hour = 41.14 minutes
Therefore, it would take approximately 41.14 minutes for John and Ramona to meet.