Question

two people, a and b, are standing 3 miles apart on a straight road. at the same time that person a walks north at a rate of 3 miles per hour (mph), person b walks south at a rate of 1 mph. at what rate is the distance between the two people changing 1 hour later?

Answer 1

In summary, after 1 hour, the distance between person A and person B is changing at a rate of 2 miles per hour.

Explanation:

To find the rate at which the distance between person A and person B is changing, we can use the concept of relative velocity.

After 1 hour, person A would have traveled 3 miles north at a rate of 3 mph. Person B would have traveled 1 mile south at a rate of 1 mph. The total distance traveled by person A is 3 miles, and the total distance traveled by person B is 1 mile.

To find the rate at which the distance between them is changing, we can subtract the distance traveled by person B from the distance traveled by person A:

3 miles - 1 mile = 2 miles

So, after 1 hour, the distance between person A and person B is changing at a rate of 2 miles per hour.