# Thread: Unit Conversion: Time & Distance

1. ## Unit Conversion: Time & Distance

Problem: Two boys are 1250 meters apart when one begins walking toward the other. If one walks at a rate of 2 meters per second and the other, who starts walking toward the first boy four minutes later, walks at the rate of 1.5 meters per second, how long will it take for them to meet?

Step 1: Boy 1 has a head start of 4 minutes. Converting all measurements to seconds: $4(60)= 240$ seconds.

Step 2: Here is where I am having difficulties. The author states "Because the rate is given in meters per second, all times will be converted to seconds.) So he has traveled $240(2)=480$ meters. Why did we take the head start converted into seconds of $240$ and multiply it by $2$ to get $480$ meters?

Googled around for it and I am confused because meters is a unit of distance, and seconds is a unit of time.

2. ## Re: Unit Conversion: Time & Distance

Originally Posted by allyourbass2212
Why did we take the head start converted into seconds of $240$ and multiply it by $2$ to get $480$ meters?
How else would you calculate the distance the first boy walked during his head start?

3. ## Re: Unit Conversion: Time & Distance

Originally Posted by emakarov
How else would you calculate the distance the first boy walked during his head start?
Let me make sure I understand this correctly

Boy 1 head start = 4(60)= 240 seconds

Boy 1 : "If one walks at a rate of 2 meters per second" 2 mps * 240 seconds = 480 meters

4. ## Re: Unit Conversion: Time & Distance

Originally Posted by allyourbass2212
Boy 1 head start = 4(60)= 240 seconds

Boy 1 : "If one walks at a rate of 2 meters per second" 2 mps * 240 seconds = 480 meters
Yes.

5. ## Re: Unit Conversion: Time & Distance

attraction signs

In the Time calculator, enter the distance value and conversion units designation. Then enter the speed value and conversion designation for it