Question

A truck leaves Pensacola heading east at 50 mph. One hour later, a second

truck leaves Pensacola heading east at 65 mph. How long will it take the
second truck to overtake the first truck?

Answer 1

The answer is 10/3.

Explanation:

Think of position. After one hour just as the fast truck starts, the slow truck is at a position 50 miles. Let's see where they aree at time t hours after the fast truck begins his trip: Slow Truck: 50 miles + (50 miles/hour)×t Fast Truck: (65 miles per hour)×t .

What is t when their positions are the same?

50 + 50t = 65t

50 = 65t - 50t

50 = 15t

50/15 = t

10/3 = t

t = 10/3.