A tiger is known to chase its target at a speed of 50 mph. Today, a tiger has found his prey among a herd of wild cattle. The wild cow was a quarter of a mile ahead and running at an average speed of 25 mph when the tiger started chasing it. How long will it take the tiger to catch its prey ?

Respuesta :

Answer: 36 seconds

Step-by-step explanation:

First, let's convert all measures to the same unit

Tiger speed = 50 mph

Cow speed = 25 mph

Cow distance = a quarter of a mile = 0.25 miles

Let's say that at time 0, the cow tiger will be at point 0 and the cow at point 0.25 h miles.

At time t, they will be at the same points.

distance tiger = distance cow

initial point + time*speed = initial point + time*speed

0 + t*50 = 0.25 + 25*t

50t = 0.25 + 25t

50t - 25t = 0.25

25t = 0.25

t = 0.25/25

t = 0.01 hour

since 1 hour = 3600 seconds

0.01 hour = 36 seconds

It will take 36 seconds the tiger to catch its prey.