Question

Jonathan forgot his math homework on the kitchen table and left for school without it. He biked at the speed of 15 mph. His mother saw the homework when he was already 1 mile from home, and started chasing him. She drove at a speed of 25 mph and caught him at the school entrance. How far is the school from Jonathan's home?

Answer 1

• 2.5 miles

Explanation:

Let the distance be x

Then Jonathan biked for

• x/15 hours

His mother drew for

• x/25 hours

The time difference is

• 1/15 hours

So we have

• x/15 - 1/15 = x/25
• (x - 1)/15 = x/25
• 15x = 25x - 25
• 25x - 15x = 25
• 10x = 25
• x = 25/10
• x = 2.5 miles