Step-by-step Answer:
Very tricky question where we have to pay attention to units.
Total distance = D = 50 m
Total speed = S = 1+2 = 3 miles per hour
When they run towards each other for a given distance, the solution is given by
time = total distance / total speed
= 50 metres / (2+1) miles per hour.
= 50 metres / 3 miles per hour
We know that 1 inch = 2.54 cm exactly, so
D3= distance of three miles
= 3 miles
= 3 miles * 1760 yards /mile
= 3*1760 yards * 36 inches per yard
= 3*1760*36 inches * 2.54 cm / inch
= 3*1760*36*2.54 cm
= 3*1760*36*2.54 cm * (1/100) m/cm
= 3*1760*36*2.54/100 metres
The total speed is therefore
S = D/3600 seconds
= 3*1760*36*2.54/100 / 3600
= 1.34112 m/s (exactly)
Therefore time before they meet is
Time = Distance / total speed
= D / S
= 50 metres / S m/s
= 50 / 1.34112 seconds
= 37.28 seconds (to the hundredth of a second)
