Remark
You have to do a little subtracting and a little interpreting to get the answer. First you must assume that the bee travels in a straight line. This is math so we can assume this is true, although thousands would disagree.
Second you must assume that because it is loaded with nectar that it travels at a slower rate (not an unreasonable assumption).
Third you have to assume that the distance there is the same distance as coming back. Again this is math. We can make this assumption.
Find the travelling time.
The bee spends 12 minutes hunting down the nectar in the flowerbed. Since it was away from the hive for a total of 16 minutes, the travelling time is
16min - 12min = 4 min
Convert the Minutes to seconds.
1 minute = 60 seconds
4 minutes = 4*60 = 240 seconds.
Find the time each way.
The total time is 240 seconds, but it is not divided evenly.
Let the time there = t
Let the time back = 240 - t
The distances are the same.
r = 6 m/s
r1 = 4 m/s
t1 = t
t2 = 240 - t
dthere = dback
d = rate * time
6 m/s *t = 4 m/s (240 - t) Remove the brackets on the right.
6 * t = 4*240 - 4t Combine the like terms on the right.
6t = 960 - 4t Add 4t to both sides
6t + 4t = 960 - 4t + 4t Combine
10t = 960 Divide both sides by 10
10t/10 = 960/10 Do the division
t = 96 Time going to the flower bed
Find the distance
d = ?
r = 6 m/s
t = 96 second
d = r*t
d = 6 * 96 = 576 feet Answer
