Two cars leave phoenix and travel along roads 90 degrees apart. if car 1 leaves 60 minutes earlier than car 2 and averages 40 mph and if car 2 averages 50 mph, how far apart will they be after car 1 has traveled 3.5 hours?

The two cars will be almost 188 miles far from each other.

Step-by-step explanation:

Travel Time for Car 1 = t = 3.5 hours

Travel time for Car 2 = t-1 = 3.5 - 1 = 2.5 hours

Average speed of car 1 = 40 mph

Average speed of car 2 = 50 mph

Distance traveled by Car 1 = 40*3.5 = 140 miles

Distance Traveled by Car 2 = 50*2.5 = 125 miles

As both the roads are at a 90 degree angle. The path of the two cars and the joining line of their final position forms a right angle triangle where:

altitude = a = 140

base = b = 125

Distance of cars after 3.5 hours = c = ?

According to Pythagoras theorem:

c^2 = a^2 + b^2

c^2 = 140² + 125²

c² = 19600+15625

c = √35225

c = 187.68

Almost 188 miles.