Discussion
Richard leaves to visit his friend who lives 200 miles down Interstate 10. One hour later his friend Steve leaves to visit Richard via Interstate 10. If Richard drives at 60 mph and Steve drives at 40 mph, how many miles will Steve have driven when they cross paths?
*This question is included in Nova Math - Problem Set X: Word Problems, question #18
| (A) | 56 |
| (B) | ... |
| (C) | ... |
| (D) | ... |
| (E) | ... |
| (F) | ... |
The solution is
Posted: 09/26/2014 14:21
This problem never specifies that Steve is the friend Richard is visiting 200 miles away. In fact, the way it's worded implies that Steve is another friend altogether. I think it's an illogical jump to assume he is the friend when it never actually states that.
Posted: 09/27/2015 21:12
Reply: yep, it's ambiguous.