Two persons are to run a race, but one can run 8 meters per second, whereas the other can run 2 meters per second. If the slower runner has a 99-meter head start, how long will it be before the faster runner catches the slower runner, if they begin at the same time?

Answer 1

They ran for the same length of time
let the time be t seconds

then distance covered by faster runner = 8t
distance covered by slower runner = 2t

so 8t - 2t = 99
6t = 99
t = 99/6 or 16.5 seconds

Answer 2

Two persons are to run a race, but one can run 8 meters per second, whereas the other can run 2 meters per second. If the slower runner has a 81-meter head start, how long will it be before the faster runner catches the slower runner, if they begin at the same time?