after 0.5 seconds, the mouse is 17 feet from the cat's starting point, and the cat is 9.5 feet from its starting point.

Question

How much faster is the cat running than the mouse?

Answer 1

Remember that distance = rate times time.

 

In 0.5 sec, the mouse moves 17 feet, so the mouse runs at a speed of 17/0.5 = 34 ft/sec.

 

In the same time, the cat runs 9.5 feet, so the cat's speed is 9.5/0.5 = 19 ft/sec.

 

It looks like the mouse is running faster than the cat, doesn't it?