Solving Physics Vectors: Car Velocity and Ball Velocity Relative to Kids/Road

[jbjohnybaker]

Homework Statement

A child, sitting in the backseat of a car traveling at 20 m/s, throws a ball at 2 m/s to her brother who is siting in the front seat.
a. what is the velocity of the ball relative to the children?
b. what is the velocity of the ball relative to the road?

V of car = 20m/s
V of ball = 2 m/s

Homework Equations

Adding or subtracting?

The Attempt at a Solution

a. 20 m/s + 2m/s = 22 m/s
b. 20 m/s + 2m/s = 22 m/s

??
I am really confused

 

[Ignea_unda]

When the problem states "relative to", it means pretending that the object, say the children or the road, is not moving. All the motion in the problem is based on everything else "moving" relative to the object you are using as your reference.

Does this make sense?