Question

Jess and Wes used to race each other when they were younger. Jess could cover 8

meters per second, but Wes could cover only 5 meters per second, so Jess would sportingly
let Wes start 60 meters ahead. They would both start at the same time and continue
running until Jess caught up with Wes. How far did Jess run in those races?

Answer 1

160 meters

Explanation:

Let call dj distance run by Jess and dw distance run by Wes

By Jess courtesy Wes will be 60 meters ahead of Jess

Let call t the time in which both runners are at the same point, which in fact is when both distances are equal

dj = 8 m/sec * t and dw = 60 + 5 m/sec * t

Then we make dj = dw

8*t = 60 + 5*t

3*t = 60

t = 20 sec

Now passed 20 sec dj = 8 * 20 = 160 m

and dw = 60 + 5*20 dw = 160 m