One motorcycle is travelling at a speed of #45mph# and the other motorcycle is travelling at a speed of #65mph# both starting at the same time. When they will be #385# miles apart?

1 Answer
Oct 10, 2016

If they are traveling in opposite direction, it will be #3 1/2# hours until the motorcycles are #385# miles apart. But if they are traveling in same direction, it will be #19 1/4# hours until the motorcycles are #385# miles apart.

Explanation:

Although some important details are not mentioned,

we assume that

(a) motorcycles start from the same point

(b) the result could be different if they are traveling in opposite same direction

As one motorcycle travels at a rate of #45mph#

and other motorcycle travels in opposite direction at a rate of #65mph#

In one hour the distance between them will be

#45+65=110# miles

and to be #385# miles apart they will take #385/110#

= #(5xx7xx11)/(2xx5xx11)#

= #(cancel5xx7xxcancel11)/(2xxcancel5xxcancel11)#

= #7/2=3 1/2# hours.

If the other motorcycle travels in same direction at a rate of #65mph#

In one hour the distance between them will be

#65-45=20# miles

and to be #385# miles apart they will take #385/20#

= #(5xx7xx11)/(2xx2xx5)#

= #(cancel5xx7xx11)/(2xx2xxcancel5)#

= #77/4=19 1/4# hours.