Question

Mason and Nora decided to swim across the river. Mason began swimming 35 seconds earlier than Nora.
Mason swam at a speed of 5 feet per second.
Nora swam at a speed of 6 feet per second.
For how many seconds had Mason been swimming at the moment when the two swimmers had swam exactly the same distance?

Answer 1

speed = distance / time

Answer 2

let d be distance travelled when they are level , and t = time that nora tokk to get level with mason

for Nora
6 = d/t
d = 6t

for Mason
5 = d / (t + 35)
d = 5 ( t + 350


so 6t = 5(t + 35)

solve for t

Answer 3

Masons time in the water will be t + 35