Question

Adam leaves school at 4 p.m. and walks home at a constant pace of three mph. Amy leaves school thirty minutes later, but she brought her bike that day and rides home at a constant pace of twelve mph. How many minutes would it take Amy to catch up to Adam?

Answer 1

10 minutes

Explanation:

Adam- 3 mph = 20 minutes a mile

Amy- 12 mph = 5 minutes a mile

Adam left 30 minutes prior to Amy so he is a mile and a half ahead before amy even starts.

30 minutes = 1.5 miles (Adam)

7.5 minutes = 1.5 miles (Amy)

but with this being said you have to continue to add time and miles to Adam because he's now gone an extra 7.5 minutes too.

45 minutes = 2.25 miles

15 minues = 3 miles

no youre too far and Amy is now further so we have to go back some

40 minutes = 2 miles

10 minutes = 2 miles

With all this being said Amy only needs to ride her bike for 10 minutes before she catches back up to Adam