Four friends are having a race starting at different times etc. The race is 54km long. 
 
This is the question I have to answer.
1. Find the equations of their distance covered at any time in hours after 11am.
 
I don't understand what I'm supposed to be doing, the question makes no sense to me I don't know what the answer is meant to look like.
Help please.
This is the question I have to answer.
1. Find the equations of their distance covered at any time in hours after 11am.
I don't understand what I'm supposed to be doing, the question makes no sense to me I don't know what the answer is meant to look like.
Help please.
-
    You are asked to create an equation 
 
(maybe of this type:
d1 = t * s1
d2 = t * s2
etc.
 
where d1 is the distance covered by runner number 1 (for example, in km)
s1 is the speed of runner number 1 (in km/h)
t is the number of hours since 11 a.m. (for example, if it is 2 p.m., then t = 3 hours)
 
The number with the d and the s is actually part of the name of the variable (this saves you from having to find a new letter for each runner)
On paper, this could be writted as a normal "d" followed by a tiny subscript number at the bottom right corner of the letter d.
(maybe of this type:
d1 = t * s1
d2 = t * s2
etc.
where d1 is the distance covered by runner number 1 (for example, in km)
s1 is the speed of runner number 1 (in km/h)
t is the number of hours since 11 a.m. (for example, if it is 2 p.m., then t = 3 hours)
The number with the d and the s is actually part of the name of the variable (this saves you from having to find a new letter for each runner)
On paper, this could be writted as a normal "d" followed by a tiny subscript number at the bottom right corner of the letter d.
-
cant help you unless i see the problem... we need that information to solve          
-
You are right, that is an exceptionally vague question.  The formula for distance is always d = rt.  The distance is given, it will always be 54 km.  The rate and time will vary per the participants so they will be r1, t1; r2, t2; r3, t3 r4, t4.  Now we have to ASSUME that the participants will start after 11:00 AM.  That would be 11 + T1b, 11 + T2b, 11 + t3b and 11 + t4b (the b stands for beginning).  The question SEEMS to want the finishing time which would be T1f, T2f, T3f and T4f(the small f standing for finish). 
 
Now we have to rearrange the equation to solve for T, thus t = d/r. Now we have to add the beginning times so:
T1f = d/r1 + (11 + T1b)
T2f = d/r2 + (11 + T2b)
T3f = d/r3 + (11 + T3b)
T4f = d/r4 + (11 + T4b)
 
 
That is the correct answer provided I have guessed right at what the teacher wanted. You really should not have to play the "guess what am I thinking game."
      Now we have to rearrange the equation to solve for T, thus t = d/r. Now we have to add the beginning times so:
T1f = d/r1 + (11 + T1b)
T2f = d/r2 + (11 + T2b)
T3f = d/r3 + (11 + T3b)
T4f = d/r4 + (11 + T4b)
That is the correct answer provided I have guessed right at what the teacher wanted. You really should not have to play the "guess what am I thinking game."
