Question

A tortoise and a hare are competing in a 2000-meter race. The arrogant hare decides to let the tortoise have a 510-meter head start. When the start gun is fired the hare begins running at a constant speed of 8 meters per second and the tortoise begins crawling at a constant speed of 6 meters per second. -Let t represent the number of seconds that have elapsed since the start gun was fired. 1) Write an expression in terms of t that represents the hare's distance from the starting line (in meters) 2) Write an expression in terms of t that represents the tortoise's distance from the starting line (in meters) 3) Write an expression in terms of t that represents the number of meters the tortoise is ahead of the hare.

Answer 1

Answer:

1. 8t

2. 510 + 6t

3. 510 - 2t

Step-by-step explanation:

1. Since the hare moves at a speed of 8 metres per second, the distance it moves from the starting line is d = speed × time = 8t

2. Since the rabbit moves at a speed of 6 metres per second, and gets a head start of 510 metres, the distance it moves from the starting line is d = 510 m + speed × time = 510 + 6t

3. The distance the tortoise is ahead of the hare is thus, distance moved by rabbit - distance moved by hare in time, t.

d' = 510 + 6t - 8t

= 510 - 2t