Is this math problem possible?

[yhelothar]

I encountered this problem today while tutoring a student algebra 2.

Winston crept into the forest at 2mph and dashed out at 6mph. If the total trip took 8 hours, how far did Winston creep into the forest?

It seems to me that the time spent creeping and the time spent dashing is dependent on the distance Winston went in his journey through the forest. This distance isn't given. So it seems to me that there isn't enough info.

Am I wrong?

UPDATE Accipiter22 posted the key trick to solving the problem.

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
you can only be going INTO the forest till you hit the halfway point

 

[PrinceofWands]

Yes, you're totally wrong. The problem is painfully easy. You just have to realize that the distance is merely an aspect of the time, which is given. The answer is 12 miles btw, now make the formula.

 

[KLin]

You have to assume it means the edge of the forest.

 

[WingZero94]

2x + 6y = 8

 

[Jeff7]

As far as I can tell, yes, you'd need to know the distance. With that, you could write an equation that'd show the times required at 2mph and 6mph to get a total of 8 hours.

Unless the problem wants the distance represented as a dependent variable.



Oh, duh. Right. Use two variables.

 

[Accipiter22]

so for the first half he was going 2 m.p.h. and the last half 6 m.p.h....

 

[Accipiter22]

you can only be going INTO the forest till you hit the halfway point

 

[WingZero94]

3 to 1

 

[WingZero94]

12 Miles

 

[her209]

Are we assuming that the moment Winston stopped crawling at 2MPH, he instantaneously turns around and is at 6MPH?

 

[WingZero94]

12 miles * 2MPH = 6 hrs PLUS 12 miles * 6MPH = 2 hrs = 8 Hours

 

[zylander]

12 miles, but I just did it in my head. 2mph for 6 hours would cover 12 miles, leaving 2 hours left at 6mph which will traverse that 12 miles back out. Screw equations

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
you can only be going INTO the forest till you hit the halfway point

Ah! There we go.
The wordplay got me.

 

[Accipiter22]

Originally posted by: astroidea

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
you can only be going INTO the forest till you hit the halfway point

Ah! There we go.
The wordplay got me.

usually those trip me up to, not sure why I got that one so quick!

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: her209
Are we assuming that the moment Winston stopped crawling at 2MPH, he instantaneously turns around and is at 6MPH?

Absolutely. But first you must explain (in math) WHY Winston is crawling through the forest.

 

[msparish]

Originally posted by: Accipiter22

Originally posted by: astroidea

Originally posted by: Accipiter22
you can only be going INTO the forest till you hit the halfway point

Ah! There we go.
The wordplay got me.

usually those trip me up to, not sure why I got that one so quick!

That is not related to solving this problem in any way.

 

[HomeBrewerDude]

the question is how much did the forest grow (or shrink) during those 8 hours. assuming winston is a native of a country that is rapidly clear cutting its forests, then you will have to factor in the hourly productivity f(x) of the average s. american lumberjack.

 

[Leros]

Originally posted by: HomeBrewerDude
the question is how much did the forest grow (or shrink) during those 8 hours. assuming winston is a native of a country that is rapidly clear cutting its forests, then you will have to factor in the hourly productivity f(x) of the average s. american lumberjack.

but if you take the limit as silly thoughts go to 0, then that part of the function is negligible as it goes to 0

 

[potoba]

Originally posted by: astroidea
I encountered this problem today while tutoring a student algebra 2.

Winston crept into the forest at 2mph and dashed out at 6mph. If the total trip took 8 hours, how far did Winston creep into the forest?

It seems to me that the time spent creeping and the time spent dashing is dependent on the distance Winston went in his journey through the forest. This distance isn't given. So it seems to me that there isn't enough info.

Am I wrong?

piece of cake!

 

[Slew Foot]

I suppose youd have to assume that the distance he crept in is equal to the distance he dashed out.

 

[Superrock]

This question is solvable if you make several assumptions. 1. Winston creeps into a forest in a straight line. 2. Winston dashes out along the same straight line 3. There is only the creep and the dash and nothing else.

x is hrs creeping
y is hrs dashing

2x=6y
x+y=8

 

[dighn]

you need to assume too much. the question is very poorly worded.

 

[crisscross]

so what's the answer?

 

[bonkers325]

there is not enough information

 

[mb]

Originally posted by: crisscross
so what's the answer?

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