You are standing 100 m north of your car when an alligator appears 20 m north of you and begins to run toward you at 8 m/s. At the same moment you start to run toward your car at 5 m/s.
Will you reach the car before the alligator overtakes you?

Question

You are standing 100 m north of your car when an alligator appears 20 m north of you and begins to run toward you at 8 m/s. At the same moment you start to run toward your car at 5 m/s. 
Will you reach the car before the alligator overtakes you?

anonymous · Answer

How long will it take you to get to your car?

anonymous · Answer

And how long will it take the alligator to get to your car?

anonymous · Answer

5<---   +  8<---- = 100
<-- +<-- = 20
It would take you 20 seconds to get to your car,but the alligator would get you within 7 seconds!