Math Is Fun Forum

Ayomide

Member

Registered: 2020-05-14

Posts: 3

Comment on 'riding against the wind puzzle'

I figured it was speed we were looking for, so this is what I did:(Let speed of wind=w, and speed of rider=x)
 
Using distance/speed=time:
1/(x+w)=3
1/(x-w)=4

x+w=1/3
x-w=1/4

2x=7/12
x=7/24 miles/min

Bob

Administrator

Registered: 2010-06-20

Posts: 10,621

Re: Comment on 'riding against the wind puzzle'

hi Ayomide

I've would do this puzzle in a similar fashion too.  The 'solution' uses a sort of averaging effect and I'm a bit suspicious about that in general, although it does seems to work here.

The question actually asks for the time to do a mile so you are one step short of that at the moment.

Bob

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Children are not defined by school ...........The Fonz
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Sometimes I deliberately make mistakes, just to test you!  …………….Bob