Question

A car is behind a truck going 18 m/s on the highway. The car's driver looks for an opportunity to pass, guessing that his car can accelerate at 0.6 m/s2 and that he has to cover the 20-m length of the truck, plus 10-m extra space at the rear of the truck and 10 m more at the front of it. In the oncoming lane, he sees a car approaching, probably at the speed limit, 25 m/s (55 mph). He estimates that the car is about 500 m away.

Answer 1

Should he pass the car?

Answer 2

40 = 18t +1/2(.6)t^2
Solve for t.
25 t will be how far the other car travels. Remember the car will be traveling during that time as well.