Question

As Emily is riding her bicycle on a long straight road, she spots Emerson skating in the same direction $1/2$ mile in front of her. After she passes him, she can see him in her rear view mirror until he is $1/2$ mile behind her. Emily rides at a constant rate of $12$ miles per hour, and Emerson skates at a constant rate of $8$ miles per hour. For how many minutes can Emily see Emerson?

$\ 6$

$\ 8$

$\ 12$

$\ 15$

$\ 16$

Answer: D

Concepts:relative speed distance rate and time unit conversion

Difficulty rating: 1100

Solution:

Let $d$ be how far Emily is ahead of Emerson. Emily sees Emerson if $-\dfrac 12 \leq d \leq \frac 12.$ Suppose at $t= 0,$ where $t$ is in hours, that $d = -\frac 12.$ Then, $d = (12-8)t - \frac 12 .$ Since we must find where $d = \frac 12,$ we find the time where $\frac 12 = 4t - \frac 12 \implies 1 = 4t$ $\implies t = 0.25.$ Since $0.25$ hours passed, we know that $60\cdot0.25 = 15$ minutes passed.

Therefore, the answer is D .

2010 AMC 8 Problem 8

Answer: D

Difficulty rating: 1100

Solution:

Problem 8 in Other Years