Question

Two cars leave town at the same time going in the same direction on the same road. One travels 30 miles per hour and the other travels 46 miles per hour. In how many hours will they be 72 miles apart? Draw a diagram that represents the situation. Label your diagram using data from the problem.

Answer 1

Given:

Speed of car A = 30 miles per hour

Speed of car B = 46 miles per hour

Let's find the time it will take the cars to be 72 miles apart.

From this situation, we have the equation that represents the situation:

46t - 30t = 72

Where t represents the time it takes for both cars to be 72 miles apart.

Let's solve for t.

46t - 30t = 72

16t = 72

Divide both sides by 16:

`\begin{gathered} (16t)/(16)=(72)/(16) \\ \\ t=4.5 \end{gathered}`

Therefore, it will take both cars 4.5 hours to be 72 miles apart.

Distance car B covered = 46t = 46(4.5) = 207 miles

Distance car A covered = 30t = 30(4.5) = 135 miles

The diagram that represents this situation is below:

ANSWER:

4.5 hours