Lesson 5

Time and Distance Problems

 

Solving a word problem can be challenging, but doing so does not have to be difficult. Careful reading, proper planning, and a good understanding of mathematics are keys to success in modelling and solving word problems.

 

Scooter Rendezvous

 

Retrieve your results from Try This 1. In Try This 1 you had to determine the distance travelled by each scooter. You organized your information in a table. Compare your table with the one below.

 

	Distance	Speed
Karim	d	60
Chandelle	50 − d	90

You can use the organized information to determine an expression for the time taken by each person to complete his or her portion of the event.

Recall that time is equal to the ratio of the distance travelled divided by the speed, or The expressions for the time taken by Karim and Chandelle to complete the event are shown in the table.

 

	Distance	Speed	Time
Karim	d	60
Chandelle	50 − d	90

Look at your answer to Try This 1 question 2. Did you indicate that the travel times for Karim and Chandelle are equal?

 

Since Karim and Chandelle start and stop driving at the same time (when the scooters meet), their time travelled should be identical. In other words,

 

Karim’s time = Chandelle’s time

 

Substitute time values from the table to get

 

 

Try This 2

1. Solve the equation for d. What distance did each person travel when they met at the rendezvous?
   
   
2. Compare your answers to those you determined in Try This 1 question 3. Account for any discrepancies.
   
   
3. How much time did it take for Karim and Chandelle to complete the event?

Save your work in your course folder.

 

When it comes time to complete the Lesson 5 Assignment, you might want to refer to the method used here.

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