Question

Katherine and Beatrice are 20 miles apart when they start moving towards each other. Katherine runs at a constant speed of 5 mph and Beatrice walks at a constant speed of 3 mph. How long does it take them to meet

Answer 1

Katherine and Beatrice will meet after 2.5hrs.

Explanation:

Given:

Distance between Katherine and Beatrice when they start moving towards each other= 20 miles

Speed at which Katherine runs =5 mph

Speed at which Beatrice walks =3 mph

To Find:

Time taken for Katherine and Beatrice to meet each other

Solution:

Let assume number of hours after which Katherine and Beatrice = x hrs

Distance = speed x time

Distance travelled by Katherine in x hours =
`5* x` = 5x

Distance travelled by Beatrice in x hours =
`3* x`= 3x

Total distance covered together by Katherine in x hours and Beatrice in x hours is 20 miles .

=> 5x + 3x = 20

=>8x = 20

=>
`x = (20)/(8)`

=>
`x = (5)/(2)`

=> x=2.5

Number of hours after which Katherine and Beatrice meets = x hrs = 2.5hrs