Question

Two cars leave simultaneously from points A and B, the distance between which is 280 km. If the cars move to meet each other, they’ll meet in 2 hours. But if they move in the same direction, then the car going from point A will catch up with the car going from point B in 14 hours. What is the speed of each of the cars?

Answer 1

Car A speed = 80 km/h

Car B speed = 60 km/h

Explanation:

Answer 2

Car A speed = 80 m/s

Car B speed = 60 m/s

Explanation:

Let Speed of Car A be represented as x

Let Speed of Car B be represented as y

• 280 = (x+y)(2)
• 140 = x+y --> Equation 1

Let z represent the distance that Car A travels until it catches up to Car B

• 280+z = x(14)

Since it takes 14 hours for Car B to cover the distance z,

• z = 14y

• 280+14y = 14x

• 280 = 14(x-y)
• 20 = x-y --> Equation 2

Solving Equation 1 and Equation 2, we get:

• x = y+20
• 140 = 2y+20
• 120 = 2y
• y = 60
• x = y+20 = 80