To solve letter a:
d1 = 85t1 = 16 km,Â
85t1 = 16,Â
t1 = 16 / 85 = 0.1882 h = 11.29 min.Â
d2 = 115t2 = 16 km,Â
115t2 = 16,Â
t2 = 16 / 115 = 0.139 h = 8.35 min.Â
t1 - t2 = 11.29 - 8.35 = 2.94 min.Â
Car #2 arrives 2.94 minutes sooner.
To solve letter b:
15 min = 1/4 h = 0.25 h.Â
d1 = d2,Â
115t = 85(t + 0.25),Â
115t = 85t + 21.25,Â
115t - 85t = 21.25,Â
30t = 21.25,Â
t = 21.25 / 30 = 0.71 h,Â
d = 115 * 0.71 = 81.65 km.