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Home > PC > Chapter 2 > Lesson 2.3.4 > Problem 2-113

2-113.

At noon, John is miles directly south of Cactus Junction and driving north at miles per hour. At the same time, Amy is miles west of Cactus Junction and driving east at miles per hour. 

  1. Express the distance of John’s car north of Cactus Junction as a function of time.

    How far away is John from Cactus Junction now?
    A position north of Cactus Junction should be positive, so what value would a position south of Cactus Junction be

    What expression describes his distance?

  2. Express the distance of Amy’s car east of Cactus Junction as a function of time.

    Follow the example for John's distance.

  3. Find the distance between John and Amy at the time hours after noon.

    Use the distance formula.

  4. When are John and Amy’s cars closest together? (Hint: Graph the distance equation you found in part (c).)