Two skaters are racing towards the finish line of the race. the first Skater has a 40 meter lead and is traveling at a rate of 12 meter. the second skater is traveling at a rate of 14 meter per second. how long will it take for the second skater to pass the first skater?

20 seconds

Step-by-step explanation:

The distance to cover between the lead skater and trailing skater is 40 meters

The lead skater's rate is 12 m/s

The trailing one's rate is 14 m/s

So, we can say:

second skater is accelerating, or covering up the distance, in 14 - 12 = 2 m/s

So, at a rate of 2 meters per second, how long would it take to cover 40 meters?

We use the distance formula, substitute the known and solve for unknown.

Distance Formula = D = RT

Where

D is distance

R is speed/rate

T is time

We know

r = 2 m/s

d = 40 m

t = ?

Now,

D = RT

40 = 2t

t = 40/2

t = 20 (seconds)

Hence,

it will take 20 seconds for the second skater to catch up (pass)