Question

Two skateboarders, Ron and Bob, are traveling in opposite directions.Ton travels at 8 feet per second and bob travels at 10 feet per second. How long will it take before they are 2640 feet (1/2 mile) apart?

Answer 1

Time taken before they are 2640 feet is 146.67 seconds

Solution:

The distance is given by formula:

$distance = speed \times time$

Ton travels at 8 feet per second

Let us assume, time taken = t

speed = 8 feet per second

Then, distance is given as:

Distance covered by Ton = 8t

Bob travels at 10 feet per second

Then, distance is given as:

Distance covered by Bob = 10t

How long will it take before they are 2640 feet

Which means,

Distance covered by Ton + Distance covered by Bob = 2640

$8t + 10t = 2640\\\\18t = 2640\\\\Divide\ both\ sides\ of\ equation\ by\ 18\\\\t = 146.67$

Thus time taken before they are 2640 feet is 146.67 seconds

Method 2:

Since trains are moving in opposite directions, their speeds must be added

speed = 8 + 10 = 18 feet per second

Given distance = 2640 feet

Therefore, time taken is:

$time = \frac{distance}{speed}\\\\time = \frac{2640}{18} = 146.67 \text{ second }$

Thus time taken before they are 2640 feet is 146.67 seconds