Question

At 11 a.m., a car travelled from Town X to Town Y at 80 km/h. At the same time, a lorry travelled from Town Y to Town X at 55 km/h. After traveling for 2 1/2 h, they were still some distance apart. Both vehicles travelled for another 2 h before they met each other.

(a) What was the distance between both vehicles after 2 1/2 h?
(b) What was the distance between Town X and Town Y?

Answer 1

(a) After traveling for 2 1/2 hours, the car would have covered a distance of 80 km/h * 2.5 h = <<80*2.5=200>>200 km.
At the same time, the lorry would have covered a distance of 55 km/h * 2.5 h = <<55*2.5=137.5>>137.5 km.
Therefore, the distance between both vehicles after 2 1/2 hours is 200 km + 137.5 km = <<200+137.5=337.5>>337.5 km.

(b) After meeting each other, both vehicles traveled for another 2 hours before they met.
During this time, the car would have covered a distance of 80 km/h * 2 h = <<80*2=160>>160 km.
At the same time, the lorry would have covered a distance of 55 km/h * 2 h = <<55*2=110>>110 km.
Therefore, the total distance between Town X and Town Y is 337.5 km + 160 km + 110 km = <<337.5+160+110=607.5>>607.5 km. Answer: \boxed{607.5}.