Question

Two students are 1 foot apart on a straight path. Each student starts walking away from the other at the same moment. The first student walks at a rate of 3 feet per second, and the second student’s rate is 1.5 times the first student’s rate. If x represents seconds, which equation can be used to determine how long it will take for the students to be a total of 28 feet apart?

Answer 1

3x + 4.5x + 1 = 28

3.6 seconds

Explanation:

Initial distance apart = 1 foot

Student A:

Walk rate = 3 ft per second

Student B:

1.5*3 = 4.5 ft per second

How long it will take to be a total of 28 feets apart

Distance = speed * time

Let time = x in seconds

Student A distance = 3x

Stident B distance = 4.5x

Initial distance = 1 foot

3x + 4.5x + 1 = 28

7.5x = 28 - 1

7.5x = 27

x = 27/ 7.5

x = 3.6 seconds