Jim paddles from one shore of a lake 3 miles wide at 4 mph, and john paddles from the opposite shore at 5 mph. how long will they travel before they meet?

a. 3 hours
b. 1 hour, 24 minutes
c. 27 minutes
d. 20 minutes

Option D. 20 minutes.

Step-by-step explanation:

It has been given in the question that distance between the shore of a lake is 3 miles.

Speed of Jim is 4 mph and speed of John is 5 mph.

Let they meet after time t hours.

Therefore distance traveled by Jim in t hours = 4×t miles

and distance traveled by John in t hours = 5×t miles

Total distance they cover = 3 miles.

Now 4t + 5t = 3

9t = 3

t = 3/9 hours.

t = (3×60)/9 minutes.

t = 20 minutes.

Answer is they will meet after 20 minutes.