Question

Max and Sven bike away from home in the same direction starting at noon. They bike at constant speeds. Max bikes at xmph and he is ymph faster than Sven. By 4pm, how far ahead of Sven would Max be? Translate into an algebraic expression and simplify if possible.

Answer 1

4y miles

Explanation:

Max : x miles per hour

Sven: y miles per hour slower

x-y is the speed for Sven

We know that distance = speed * time

Distance for Max = x*t

Distance for Sven = (x-y) * t = xt - yt

The difference in distance is Max's distance minus Sven's distance

xt - ( xt-yt)

xt - xt +yt

yt

Max is yt miles ahead where t is the time

The time is noon to 4 which is 4 hours

Changing t to 4

The distance ahead is 4y miles