Jim paddles from one shore of a lake at 4 mph, and John paddles from the opposite shore at 5 mph. How long will they travel before they meet?
Let
T = time that each will paddle before they meet
D = distance paddled by JIm
(3 – D) = distance paddled by John
D = 4T — Equation 1
and
(3 – D) = 5T or
D = 3 – 5T — Equation 2
Since Equation 1 = Equation 2
4T = 3 – 5T
9T = 3
T =1/3 hr = 20 minutes
ANSWER — Jim and John will be paddling for 20 minutes before they pass each other.
Hope this helps.
Since they are paddling in opposite directions their distances will together add up to the width of the lake when they meet.
Let t = the time that they are paddling.
4t + 5t =3
9t = 3
t =1/3 hrs or 20 minutes.
References :
20 min.
9 miles per hour total speed between both of them,
total lake 3 miles long
3 miles is 1/3 of 9 miles
there fore it’s 1/3 of an hour = 20 min.
References :
Let
T = time that each will paddle before they meet
D = distance paddled by JIm
(3 – D) = distance paddled by John
D = 4T — Equation 1
and
(3 – D) = 5T or
D = 3 – 5T — Equation 2
Since Equation 1 = Equation 2
4T = 3 – 5T
9T = 3
T =1/3 hr = 20 minutes
ANSWER — Jim and John will be paddling for 20 minutes before they pass each other.
Hope this helps.
References :