Catching up to the car ahead

HOME

Math Central

Quandaries & Queries

Question from Ashley, a student:

Car A passes Car B on a freeway. The driver of Car B decides to speed up to 75 mph and catch Car A, whose driver is maintaining a constant speed.
Looking ahead, the driver of Car B sees Car A go under an overpass one-quarter mile up the road. Exactly six minutes later, Car B catches Car A.
How fast was the car going?

Ashley,

The driver in Car B makes up the quarter mile distance in six minutes. What would be your speed if you go one-quarter mile in 6 minutes?

Penny

Math Central is supported by the University of Regina and The Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences.