Answer: 73.5 miles from Prospect Ave. exit.
Explanation:
From the question information, we know these two important facts:
1) Both drivers travel in a straight road.
2) Both drivers travel at a constant speed, although in opposite directions.
With this information, applying the definition of velocity (change in displacement divided by change in time), we can write an equation for final displacement, applying it to each driver, as follows:
x = x₀ + v. (t- t₀)
Let´s take Anna first, naming her as driver 1.
As we want to know the distance from her starting point, when they pass each other, we choose to define the initial parameters as follows:
x₁₀ = 0 and t₁₀ = 0
So, calling x1 to Anna's displacement, we can write:
x₁= 75 mph. t₁
For the second driver, as he starting from a point at 105 miles from the origin, at a time 0.5 h delayed regarding t₁, and is travelling in the opposite direction, the equation for Chuck's displacement (that we will call x₂) is as follows:
x₂ = 105 m -65 (t₁-0.5 h)
Now, at the moment that they pass each other, both displacements will be the same: x₁= x₂.
So, we will have the following equation:
75 mph . t₁ = 105 m - 65. (t₁-0.5 h)
Solving for t₁, we get :
140 t₁ = 137.5 ⇒ t₁ = 0.98 h.
Replacing in the expression for x₁, we get:
x₁ = 75 mph. 0.98 h = 73.5 miles.
So, both drivers will pass each other at 73.5 miles from Prospect Ave. exit.
