At 9:30 A.M. Andrew left Exeter for Portsmouth for Exeter, cycling at 12mi/h. At

Question

At 9:30 A.M. Andrew left Exeter for Portsmouth for Exeter, cycling at 12mi/h. At 10:00 A.M. Stacy left Portsmouth for Exeter cycling at 16 mi/h. The distance from Exeter to Portsmouth is 20 mi. Find the time when they met.

This is what I've done thus far... (It's wrong tho.)

12t + 16 (t + 1/2) =20 mi
12t + 16t + 8 = 20 mi
28t + 8 = 20 mi
28t = 12mi
t = ?!

Really confused... I've always had problems with word problems and the further I go
in this assignment the more confused I am!

P.S. If you could explain it to me so that I can do other problems also with no problems I would REALLY appreciate it!!! (Please? For Brownie Points?)

Explanation / Answer

You made a simple sign error 16(t+1/2) means that at t=1/2 (10:00 am), Stacy was already 16 miles away from Portsmouth. This obviously can not be true. If you instead make it 16(t-1/2), at t=1/2 (10:00 am), Stacy is still in Portsmouth. So now solve 12t+16(t-1/2)=20 and you should get the right result

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