Question

Quick math question. Please help

Answer 1

I am helping my friend move by driving his car cross country behind the rental truck he is driving. As we start, he points out that the car needs gasoline. He says he’ll go on ahead because the truck will go only 55 mph and I can catch up with him. That was at 8 a.m. After filling the tank I leave the gas station 15 minutes behind him. If I drive 60 mph, how long will I have to drive for AND how many miles will I have driven to catch up with him?

Answer 2

I think that the first step would be to determine how many miles your friend is ahead of you when you are tanked up and departing the gas station. Assuming the moving truck is going at a steady 55 mph during your 15 min (.25 hr) stop.
55 * .25 = 13.75 miles. Would you agree with that?

Answer 3

You are now departing at 8:15 am, and you are 13.75 miles behind and you are traveling 5 mph faster than the truck. 13.75/5 = 2.75 hrs. I would say that you catch up with the truck around 11:00 am, just in time to stop for lunch.

Answer 4

I know that sems like a long time to catch up, hoping someone else will work it also to verify.

Answer 5

60*2.75=165 miles for car
55*3 =165 miles for truck your answer checks

Answer 6

Thanks @jamaica25