How long does it take an automobile traveling in the left lane at 60.0 km/h to overtake (become even with) another car that is traveling in the right lane at 40.0 km/h when the cars’ front bumpers are initially 100 m apart?

Question

DrBob222 · Accepted Answer

I don't think either of your responses is correct. I don't think my hint is correct, either.

distance = rate x time
distance traveled by 40 km/hr car is
d = 40t. solve for t = d/40

distance traveled by 60 km/hr car is
d + 100 = 60t. solve for t = (d+100)/60

The times are equal. Set them equal to each other and solve for distance, then solve for time it takes for the car traveling at 60 km/h to travel d + 100.

DrBob222 · Answer

Simplify the question. How long does it take a car traveling at 60 km/h to travel 100 m?

Anonymous · Answer

9s

Anonymous · Answer

3.6s!

Anonymous · Answer

nevermind, the previous one is correct. how would I go on about that?

Anonymous · Answer

Aren't you suppose to convert km to m (since the distance is in m)?

DrBob222 · Answer

Yes, you may convert 100 m to 0.1 km in which case d will be in km or you may convert 40 km/h and 60 km/h to m/h and d is then in meters. However, since both 40 km/h and 60 km/h are on opposite sides of the equation, the conversion factor cancels and what I set up above gives the same answer with or without the conversion. Probably the math people won't like that because it isn't good math and I recommend the conversions.

Anonymous · Answer

Subtract the velocity of the slower car from the first; this is the relative velocity. Time is distance over velocity, so calculate how long it takes a car to travel 100 meters going 20.0 m/s. The answer is 18s.