How Do You Solve an Opposite-Direction Travel Problem?

How Do You Solve an Opposite-Direction Travel Problem?

Note:

Two people leave a location at different times and travel in opposite directions. What time will they be a certain distance apart? This tutorial takes you step-by-step through this classic word problem!

Keywords:

  • problem
  • word problem
  • word
  • translate
  • translate words to algebra
  • uniform motion
  • multiple step problem
  • two equations
  • distance
  • speed
  • time
  • constant speed
  • rate times time
  • 2 equations 2 unknowns
  • solve by substitution
  • two objects
  • objects moving apart
  • solve with two operations
  • distributive property

Background Tutorials

  • Evaluate expressions at specific values of their variables. Include expressions that arise from formulas used in real-world problems. Perform arithmetic operations, including those involving whole-number exponents, in the conventional order when there are no parentheses to specify a particular order (Order of Operations).

      • What is a Variable?What is a Variable?

      What is a Variable?

      You can't do algebra without working with variables, but variables can be confusing. If you've ever wondered what variables are, then this tutorial is for you!

  • Apply properties of operations as strategies to add, subtract, factor, and expand linear expressions with rational coefficients.

      • What are Like Terms?What are Like Terms?

      What are Like Terms?

      Combining like terms together is a key part of simplifying mathematical expressions, so check out this tutorial to see how you can easily pick out like terms from an expression

  • Give examples of linear equations in one variable with one solution, infinitely many solutions, or no solutions. Show which of these possibilities is the case by successively transforming the given equation into simpler forms, until an equivalent equation of the form x = a, a = a, or a = b results (where a and b are different numbers).