A spider and an ant are on a 120 cm long circle. If they move in a circle towards each other, they will meet in 12 seconds
A spider and an ant are on a 120 cm long circle. If they move in a circle towards each other, they will meet in 12 seconds, and if one after another, they will meet in 30 seconds. Find the speed of the spider and the speed of the ant. linear equation solution
Let us denote the speed of the ant’s movement by “x” cm per second, and the speed of the spider by “y” cm per second.
When moving towards each other, they will meet in 12 seconds.
120 / (x + y) = 12.
x + y = 120/12 = 10.
When moving one after another, they will meet in 30 seconds.
120 / (y – x) = 30,
y – x = 120/30 = 4.
y = 4 + x.
Substitute y in the first equation.
x + 4 + x = 10,
2x = 6,
x = 6/2 = 3 cm per second the speed of the ant.
Let’s find the speed of the spider.
3 + y = 10,
y = 10 – 3 = 7 cm per second the speed of the spider.