Runner A is initially 6 km west of a flagpole and is running with a constant velocity of 9.0 km/h due east. Runner B is initially 5.0 km east of the flagpole and is running with a constant velocity of 8.0 km/h due west. What will be the distance of the two runners from the flagpole when their paths cross?
Well, this is really a d = rt problem, where you can add your rates to the total distance. So, you know the first rate will be 9t, and the second 8t. You don’t know the individual distances for the runners, but you know the combined distance will be 11. So you can add your rt’s to get 17t = 11, so t = 11/17. Therefore, when they meet, the second runner will have run 11/17(8) km = approx. 5.1765 km. So, if he starts out 5 km due east of the flagpole, he will be 5.1765 – 5 = .1765 km west of the flagpole. Hope this helps,
Felix
Well, this is really a d = rt problem, where you can add your rates to the total distance. So, you know the first rate will be 9t, and the second 8t. You don’t know the individual distances for the runners, but you know the combined distance will be 11. So you can add your rt’s to get 17t = 11, so t = 11/17. Therefore, when they meet, the second runner will have run 11/17(8) km = approx. 5.1765 km. So, if he starts out 5 km due east of the flagpole, he will be 5.1765 – 5 = .1765 km west of the flagpole. Hope this helps,
Felix
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