Question

Runner A is initially 4.4 mi west of a flagpole and is running with a constant velocity of 7.5 mi/h due east. Runner B is initially 3 mi east of the flagpole and is running with a constant velocity of 5.1 mi/h due west. How far are the runners from the flagpole when they meet? Answer in units of mi.

Answer 1

`x = 4.76 * 10^(-3) miles`

Step-by-step explanation:

Since two runners are moving towards each other and meet at distance "x" from flag pole then the distance covered by Runner A is given as

`d_1 = (4.4 + x) miles`

also we have distance moved by runner B is

`d_2 = (3 - x) miles`

now if they both meet at this position

so the time taken by both runners to reach this position must be same

so we will have

`t = (d_1)/(v_1) = (d_2)/(v_2)`

`(4.4 + x)/(7.5) = (3 - x)/(5.1)`

`4.4 + x = 1.47(3 - x)`

`(1.47 + 1)x = 0.0118 miles`

`x = 4.76 * 10^(-3) miles`