Question

Sam lives 45 miles due West of where he works. Everyday he drives on the highway at 65 mph. Jim works in the same building, and lives 30 miles due East, but is only able to drive 40 mph. Use this information to answer the following question.If they do not stop at the building where they work and just kept on driving, after how much time would they pass each other on the road? Round to the nearest THOUSANDTH of an hour, and label your answer.

Answer 1

Let's begin by listing out the information given to us:

Sam's travel time: 45/65 * 60 = 41.56 min

Jim's travel time: 30/40 * 60 = 45min

The difference in the time taken is: 45 - 41.56 = 3.44 mins

Since they did not stop along the way, the distance between them when they start is given by: 45 + 30 = 75 miles

We will proceed to calculate the time when they meet by using the Distance equation. We have:

distance = speed * time

65t + 40t = 75 ⇒ 105t = 75

t = 70/105 = 0.7143

t = 0.7143 hr

When they pass one another, they are this distance apart:

Jim: (0.7143 * 65) - 45 = 1.43 mi passed the office

Sam: (0.7143 * 40) - 30 = 1.43 mi before the office

Therefore, they are 1.43 miles away when they pass one another