MHB Problem Solving 2 - linear Equation

[paulmdrdo1]

here's the other problem.

1. An army of soldiers is marching down a road at 5 mi/hr. A messenger on horseback rides from the front to the rear and returns immediately, the total time taken being 10 minutes. Assuming that the messenger rides at the rate of 10mi/hr, determine the distance from the front to the rear.

I don't understand what's going in the problem. and what is it really requiring to solve. front of what and rear of what?

thanks!

 

[Evgeny.Makarov]

I don't understand what's going in the problem. and what is it really requiring to solve. front of what and rear of what?

Front and rear of the column of soldiers. You have to find the length of the column.

 

[paulmdrdo1]

how do I set-up the equation?

 

[paulmdrdo]

the messenger took two trips, front-rear and rear-front. Take the relative speed of the messenger and the column of soldiers then use it as the rate of each trip.