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Toy Car \( A \) and Toy Car \( B \) are 100 m apart. Toy Car \( A \) travels at a speed of \( a \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s} \) while Toy Car \( B \) travels at a speed of \( b \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s} \). (a) If the two cars travel towards each other, they will meet in 10 seconds. Form an equation, in terms of \( a \) and \( b \), and show that it simplifies to \( a+b=10 \). (b) However, if both travels in the same direction, Toy Car \( A \) will catch up with Toy Car \( B \) in 50 seconds. Form another equation, in terms of \( a \) and \( b \), and show that it simplifies to \( a-b=2 \). [1] (c) Hence, find the respective travel speeds of Toy Car \( A \) and of Toy Car \( B \). (1]

Ask by Nichols Salinas. in Singapore
Feb 03,2025

Real Tutor Solution

Tutor-Verified Answer

Answer

Toy Car \( A \) travels at 6 m/s and Toy Car \( B \) travels at 4 m/s.

Solution

Let's solve each part of the problem step by step. --- ### **Part (a): Meeting When Traveling Towards Each Other** **Given:** - Initial distance between Toy Car \( A \) and Toy Car \( B \) = 100 meters. - Speed of Toy Car \( A \) = \( a \) m/s. - Speed of Toy Car \( B \) = \( b \) m/s. - Time to meet = 10 seconds. **Approach:** When the two cars travel towards each other, their relative speed is the sum of their individual speeds, \( a + b \). They will meet when the combined distance they cover equals the initial separation of 100 meters. **Equation Formation:** \[ \text{Distance} = \text{Relative Speed} \times \text{Time} \] \[ 100 = (a + b) \times 10 \] **Simplification:** \[ a + b = \frac{100}{10} = 10 \] \[ \boxed{a + b = 10} \] --- ### **Part (b): Catching Up When Traveling in the Same Direction** **Given:** - Initial distance between Toy Car \( A \) and Toy Car \( B \) = 100 meters. - Speed of Toy Car \( A \) = \( a \) m/s. - Speed of Toy Car \( B \) = \( b \) m/s. - Time for Toy Car \( A \) to catch up with Toy Car \( B \) = 50 seconds. **Approach:** When both cars travel in the same direction, Toy Car \( A \) needs to cover the initial 100 meters plus the distance Toy Car \( B \) covers in the same time. The effective speed at which \( A \) catches up to \( B \) is the difference in their speeds, \( a - b \). **Equation Formation:** \[ \text{Distance to Catch Up} = \text{Relative Speed} \times \text{Time} \] \[ 100 = (a - b) \times 50 \] **Simplification:** \[ a - b = \frac{100}{50} = 2 \] \[ \boxed{a - b = 2} \] --- ### **Part (c): Finding the Respective Speeds of Toy Car \( A \) and Toy Car \( B \)** **Given Equations:** 1. \( a + b = 10 \)    [From Part (a)] 2. \( a - b = 2 \)   [From Part (b)] **Approach:** To find the values of \( a \) and \( b \), we can solve these two equations simultaneously. **Solving the Equations:** 1. **Add the two equations to eliminate \( b \):** \[ (a + b) + (a - b) = 10 + 2 \] \[ 2a = 12 \] \[ a = \frac{12}{2} = 6 \text{ m/s} \] 2. **Substitute \( a = 6 \) into the first equation to find \( b \):** \[ 6 + b = 10 \] \[ b = 10 - 6 = 4 \text{ m/s} \] **Final Speeds:** \[ \boxed{\text{Toy Car } A \text{ travels at } 6 \text{ m/s, and Toy Car } B \text{ travels at } 4 \text{ m/s.}} \]

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The Deep Dive

Let's tackle this problem step by step! For part (a), when Toy Car \( A \) and Toy Car \( B \) travel towards each other, their speeds combine. They cover a total distance of 100 m in 10 seconds, so the equation can be formed as: \[ a + b = \frac{100 \text{ m}}{10 \text{ s}} = 10 \text{ m/s} \] Thus, we derive the equation \( a + b = 10 \). Now, for part (b), when the cars travel in the same direction, Toy Car \( A \) is trying to catch up with Toy Car \( B \). In this case, the relative speed is \( a - b \), and because Toy Car \( A \) starts 100 m behind, we have: \[ a - b = \frac{100 \text{ m}}{50 \text{ s}} = 2 \text{ m/s} \] So this leads us to the equation \( a - b = 2 \). Now, we have a system of equations: 1. \( a + b = 10 \) 2. \( a - b = 2 \) To solve these equations, we can add them: \[ (a + b) + (a - b) = 10 + 2 \implies 2a = 12 \implies a = 6 \] Now, substituting \( a = 6 \) back into the first equation: \[ 6 + b = 10 \implies b = 4 \] Thus, the speeds of Toy Car \( A \) and Toy Car \( B \) are **6 m/s** and **4 m/s**, respectively. Let’s keep cruising through toy car physics together! 🚗💨 Oh, and speaking of toy cars, did you know that the first toy cars were made from tin and wound up with a key? They were quite the marvel in the early 20th century! Imagine children racing them on their living room floors, just like today, but without the fancy remote controls. If you’re intrigued by the science of motion, physics is packed with similar principles! Check out books like "The Physics of Toys," where you can explore the mechanics of how simple toys can teach us about forces, energy, and motion. It’s a playful way to dive deeper into STEM concepts!

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