Question

A cheetah can run at a maximum speed

106 km/h and a gazelle can run at a maxi-
mum speed of 75.6 km/h.
If both animals are running at full speed,
with the gazelle 63.4 m ahead, how long before
the cheetah catches its prey?
Answer in units of s.

Answer 1

Cheetah speed:

Its position at time t is given by

(1)

Gazelle speed:

the gazelle starts S0=96.8 m ahead, therefore its position at time t is given by

(2)

The cheetah reaches the gazelle when . Therefore, equalizing (1) and (2) and solving for t, we find the time the cheetah needs to catch the gazelle:

(2) To solve the problem, we have to calculate the distance that the two animals can cover in t=7.5 s.

Cheetah:

Gazelle:

So, the gazelle should be ahead of the cheetah of at least

Explanation: try these steps to answer