Final answer:
The ratio of the distance traveled by Mr. Palmer to Mr. Jiminez is 2:3, reflecting their speed ratio of 40 mph to 60 mph. This ratio will be consistent regardless of the time interval, as long as they maintain their constant speeds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to determining the ratio of the distance traveled by Mr. Palmer compared to Mr. Jiminez. Since Mr. Palmer is driving at 40 miles per hour (mph) and Mr. Jiminez is driving at 60 mph, to calculate the ratio for any given time interval, you can directly compare their speeds. The ratio of the distances they travel will be the same as the ratio of their speeds, because distance is the product of speed and time.
Their speeds are in a ratio of 40:60, which simplifies down to 2:3. This means that for every 2 units of distance Mr. Palmer travels, Mr. Jiminez travels 3 units of distance. This ratio remains consistent regardless of the time interval, as long as both continue to travel at their respective constant speeds.