Car and helicopter

Question

A helicopter traveling 100mph overtakes a speeding car traveling at 75mph. The car has a 0.5 hour head start. How far from the starting point did the helicopter overtake the car?

Answer 1

Assuming that these vehicles travelled in a straight line (although helicopter's elevation is greater), use D=RT.

Rate of helicopter = 100 mi/hr

Rate of automobile = 75 mi/hr

Time of travel for helicopter = t hours

Time of travel for automobile = t+½ hours

 

Each goes same distance: D = 75(t+½) = 100t.

 

SOLVE for t, then compute D as above.