Question

Two cyclists, 40 miles apart, start riding toward each other at the same time. One cycles 3 times as fast

as the other. If they meet 2
hours later, what is the speed (in mi/h) of the faster cyclist?

Answer 1

15 mph

Explanation:

The cyclists will cover distance at a rate proportional to their speed. So, the distance ratio is ...

faster cyclist distance : slower cyclist distance = 3 : 1

Then the faster cyclist covers 3 : (3+1) = 3/4 of the total distance, or (3/4)(40 mi) = 30 mi.

That distance took 2 hours for the faster cyclist, so the speed was ...

speed = distance/time = 30 mi/(2 h) = 15 mi/h