Ray starts to walk to school at a rate of 2 mi/h. 10 minutes later, his sister runs after him, averaging 6 mi/h. Solve the system to determine how much time it

Question

I am very confused and concerned about what two equations to write for this problem.

Answer 1

Jessica, you only need one equation. Distance = rate x time, right? They'll both have walked the same distance once they meet.

 

If t = Ray's time, then his sister's time is 10 minutes shorter, or t - 10

 

Ray's distance is 2t, and his sister's is 6(t - 10) or 6t - 60.

 

Since the distances are the same, 2t = 6t - 60

 

-4t = -60

t = 15

 

So, Ray walks for 15 minutes before his sister, walking for 5 minutes, catches up.

 

Hope this helps!