Time Speed and Distance- Bus and A car- Part 1

This topic has expert replies
Source: — Problem Solving |

GMAT/MBA Expert

User avatar
Elite Legendary Member
Posts: 10392
Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Thanked: 2867 times
Followed by:511 members
GMAT Score:800

by [email protected] » Sun May 11, 2014 11:33 pm
Hi s91arvindh,

This questions requires that you use the Distance Formula and keep track of 2 moving vehicles.

The bus is moving 60mph and is in motion for 20 minutes....

D = R x T
D = 60mph x 1/3 hour

D = 20 miles

So we know the bus traveled 20 miles.

We also know that the bus started 5 miles behind a car, but ended 10 miles ahead of that car. So the bus "made up" 15 miles on the car, even though the bus traveled 20 miles. This means that the car had to have been moving; since the bus "made" up 15 miles instead of 20 miles, the car must have traveled 5 miles during that time.

D = R x T
5 miles = R x 1/3 hour

[spoiler]R = 15mph[/spoiler]

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at [email protected]
Image

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Mon May 12, 2014 2:33 am
s91arvindh wrote:A bus moving at 60 mph is 5 miles behind a car. After 20 minutes, it is 10 miles ahead of the car.
what is the speed of the car .

15mph
The CATCH-UP rate is the DIFFERENCE between the two rates:
Catch-up rate = (faster rate) - (slower rate).

In 1/3 of an hour, the bus catches up a total of 15 miles (from 5 miles behind to 10 miles ahead).
Thus:
The catch-up rate = d/t = 15/(1/3) = 45 miles per hour.

Since 45 miles per hour is difference between the bus's rate and the car's rate, we get:
45 = 60 - (car's rate)
Car's rate = 15 miles per hour.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3