City V and City W were 792 km apart. A car travelled from City V towards City W. At the same time, a van started from City W to City V. After travelling 1
12 h, the two vehicles were still 528 km apart. If the ratio of the average speed of the van to that of the car was 5 : 6, find
- the average speed of the van.
- the time taken for them to meet travelling the rest of the journey. Express your answer in h.
(a)
Distance covered in 1
12 h by the two vehicles
= 792 - 528
= 264 km
Combined speed of the two vehicles
= 264 ÷
32 = 264 x
23 = 176 km/h
Average speed of the van : Average speed of the car = 5 : 6
5 u + 6 u = 11 u
11 u = 176
1 u = 176 ÷ 11 = 16
Average speed of the van
= 5 u
= 5 x 16
= 80 km/h
(b)
Time taken for the van and the car to meet travelling the rest of the journey
= 528 ÷ 176
= 3 h
Answer(s): (a) 80 km/h; (b) 3 h