Thread: Distance Word Problem

A truck traveling at a constant rate of 45 miles per hour leaves Albany. One hour later a car traveling at a constant rate of 60 miles per hour also leaves Albany traveling in the same direction on the same highway. How long will it take for the car to catch up to the
truck, if both vehicles continue in the same direction on the highway?

MY ATTEMPT:

...........................rate.......time........ ......distance
truck.....................45.........x + 1.............45(x + 1)
car........................60...........x......... ........60x

Is this the right set up to find the answer?

I then equate the distances because they are traveling in the same direction.

Is this correct?

45(x + 1) = 60x

Originally Posted by magentarita

A truck traveling at a constant rate of 45 miles per hour leaves Albany. One hour later a car traveling at a constant rate of 60 miles per hour also leaves Albany traveling in the same direction on the same highway. How long will it take for the car to catch up to the
truck, if both vehicles continue in the same direction on the highway?

MY ATTEMPT:

...........................rate.......time........ ......distance
truck.....................45.........x + 1.............45(x + 1)
car........................60...........x......... ........60x

Is this the right set up to find the answer?

I then equate the distances because they are traveling in the same direction.

Is this correct?

45(x + 1) = 60x

yup, good job

now finish up

Here is my effort:

45(x + 1) = 60x

45x + 45 = 60x

45 = 60x = 45x

45 = 15x

45/15 = x

3 = x

So, it will take the car 3 hours to catch up to the truck.

Originally Posted by magentarita

Here is my effort:

45(x + 1) = 60x

45x + 45 = 60x

45 = 60x = 45x

45 = 15x

45/15 = x

3 = x

So, it will take the car 3 hours to catch up to the truck.

yup ....(if we start measuring time from when the car leaves. if we are to measure time from when the truck leaves, which i think is what we are supposed to do here, then the answer is 4 hours)

Originally Posted by Jhevon

yup ....(if we start measuring time from when the car leaves. if we are to measure time from when the truck leaves, which i think is what we are supposed to do here, then the answer is 4 hours)

It's amazing that I got this question correct but of course this does not mean that I have mastered word problems. I need more and more practice each day.

Originally Posted by magentarita

It's amazing that I got this question correct but of course this does not mean that I have mastered word problems. I need more and more practice each day.

that's true. practice is usually required to master any mathematical discipline