Time and Distance Word Problem

Question

Candace and Phoebe are traveling on the same highway in the same direction. Candace is traveling at 45 mph and is exactly 40 miles ahead of Phoebe who is traveling at 55 mph. How many hours will it take Phoebe to catch Candace?

Answer 1

let x = # of hours traveled.

 

Candace is traveling 45 times x (number of hours) +40

Phoebe is traveling 55 times x

 

45x+40 = 55x

45x-45x + 40 = 55x-45x

40= 10x

 

Divide both sides by 10

 

40/10 = 10x/10

4 = x

 

It took 4 hours for Candace and Phoebe to be at the same spot.