Question

Two friends are reading the same book. Amy can read 3 pages per minute, and she has already read 9 pages. Sam, who has a reading speed of 2 pages per minute, has read 47 pages so far. The two friends decide to sit and read together. How long will it take Amy to catch up with Sam? By the time Amy catches up to Sam, how many pages will each one have read?

Answer 1

Amy:  (3 pages/min)(x min) + 9 pages
Sam:  (2 pages/min)(x min)  + 47 pages

Equate these:  3x+9 = 2x + 47

Then x = 38.  The two friends will have covered the same number of pages after 38 minutes.  How many pages would that be?  3(38)+9 = 123 pages.