A Rovering Question

SydneyRoverP6B

SydneyRoverP6B

Well-Known Member
Staff member
I know from the correspondence that I have received that many form members really enjoy a good problem to solve.

So to that end I have devised a little problem, which I hope you will all enjoy.

The operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are all that are needed in order to solve the problem, in conjunction with a fair degree of logical thought.

A hand held calculator will come in handy, but using trial and error or spreadsheets or anything similar are all discouraged, as they don’t really achieve anything.

So to the question:

A turmeric Rover leaves the town square in Big town at 1017am, and heads off on the 142 Mile journey to the town square in Little town.

An avocado Rover leaves the town square in Little town at 1112am, and heads off on the same journey, but in the opposite direction.

There is only one road linking the two towns, so both Rovers will pass each other en route.

If the turmeric Rover travels at a speed of 40mph without stopping, and the avocado Rover travels at a speed of 53mph, again without stopping, at what time will the two Rovers pass each other?

How far will each Rover have travelled at the time when they pass each other?

Ron.
 
I calculate the time to be 12:19:57'42
The Turmeric Rover have driven 81,97 miles and the Avocado one has done 60,03 miles
Regards, Barten
 
Barten's answer is absolutely correct ( assuming that the cars instantaneously reach their postulated speeds i.e. these are average speeds not cruising speeds ) . The cars are 105 and one-third miles apart when the second car starts moving and they then approach each other at 93 mph . Nice little problem - I don't think I've done one of these since I was 10 years old, and in those days it was trains !
 
Some good answers there gents :) Pilkie, you're very close, Chris is spot on, Barten you're right on the money.

Would you like to post your solutions please? , then I'll post up mine.

Ron.
 
I didnt use a calculator,and as my brain only works in miles and minutes,10ths and seconds dont apply! :wink: :LOL:
 
A good puzzle.
It's as well the Rovers were both P6s. (I assumed that from their colours).
Had they been SD1s the calculations would become very complicated as you would have to predict at what point each would break down, how long each waited on a recovery vehicle and the speeds of the recovery vehicles. :LOL:
 
I am pleased to know that my little question has been well received. :)

Whilst we wait for Barten to write up his solution, I'll write up one more that I have devised. This one requires no calculator at all, so whether that makes it easier, you'll have to see :wink:

The thread will be called, The Post Office Rovers Question.

Ron.
 
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