Question

One bus left Denver at 3 pm going west at 40 mph and another left at 5 pm going west at 60 mph. How many hours will it take the second bus to catch up to the first? Round to the nearest tenth if necessary.

Answer 1

When they have traveled the same distance, they will be at the same place.

At 5 PM, bus1 has already traveled 80 miles so starting at d(bus1)=80 +40t
bus2 d=60t
They meet when the distances are equal.
80 + 40t = 60t
20t=80
t=4 hrs
At 9:PM they meet (5PM + 4)

Answer 2

I may not have made it clear, but I started the time at 5PM, that is why I gave bus 1 the extra 80 miles on distance.

Answer 3

@loli, any questions?

Answer 4

@LivForMusic, would you have worked it differently? I know there are other ways it could be solved.

Answer 5

@radar thats how i worked it.