Question

If a sports car is traveling at 95 miles per hour, how long would it take the sports car to overtake a family car traveling at 35 miles per hour that left the same starting point 4.5 hours earlier?

Answer 1

Distance = speed * time
d = st

The sports car travels d distance for t time at speed, s, 95 mph until it overtakes the family
car.
The equation for the sports car is
d = 95t

The family car travels the same distance, d, but since it left 4.5 hours earlier  than the sports car, it travels for t + 4.5 time until it is overtaken. It travels at speed, 35 mph.
The equation for the family car is
d = 35(t + 4.5)

We solve the two equations as a system of equations.

d = 95t
d = 35(t + 4.5)

Since d = d, set the right sides of the equations above equal to each other.

95t = 35(t + 4.5)

95t = 35t + 157.5

60t = 157.5

t = 2.625

The answer is 2.625 hours, or 2 hours, 37 minutes, and 30 seconds.

Check:
In 2.625 hours, the sports car travels: 95 mph * 2.625 h = 249.375 miles
The family car traveled 2.625 hours plus the extra 4.5 hours, or 7.125 hours.
In 7.125 hours, the family car travels 35 mph * 7.125 h = 249.375 miles.
The cars have traveled the same distance 2.625 hours after the sports car left, so our answer is correct.