Question

Reagan and Nathan are 45 miles apart on a bike trail when they start pedaling toward each other. Reagan rides at a constant speed of 8 miles per hour, and Nathan rides at a constant speed of 10 miles per hour. How far apart will they be after one hour?

a) 35 miles
b) 15 miles
c) 55 miles
d) 5 miles

Answer 1

Reagan and Nathan close an 18-mile gap in an hour by riding towards each other. After one hour, they will be 27 miles apart since they started 45 miles apart. The correct answer is not provided in the options given.

Step-by-step explanation:

After one hour, Reagan and Nathan will be 15 miles apart.

To calculate the distance between Reagan and Nathan after one hour, we can use the formula:

Distance = (Reagan’s speed time) + (Nathan’s speed time)

Distance = (8 miles/hour 1 hour) + (10 miles/hour 1 hour)

Distance = 8 miles + 10 miles

Distance = 18 miles

Since they are riding towards each other, the total distance they cover is the sum of their individual distances. Therefore, after one hour, they will be 18 miles apart. However, the question states that they are initially 45 miles apart, so we need to subtract the distance they cover in one hour from the initial distance.

Initial distance - Distance covered in one hour = Final distance

45 miles - 18 miles = 27 miles

Therefore, after one hour, Reagan and Nathan will be 27 miles apart.