You have a NHRA top fuel drag car sitting at the starting line. Along comes a NASCAR stock car running and maintaining 200 mph.
When the NASCAR stock car crosses the starting line of the 1/4 mile track, it trips the starting light for the top fuel car.
At what point in the 1/4 mile track does the top fuel car catch and pass the NASCAR stock car and how fast is it going when it does. The NHRA top fuel speed record is 336.15 mph and a ET record of 4.437 seconds.

1. Tony Schumacher (U.S. Army Dragster) 4.437 - 336.15 mph
Tony Schumacher's incremental times: 60ft-0.850 sec., 330ft-2.123, 660ft-3.052/270.51mph, 1,000ft-3.837.

 

gotta put a pencil to this. interesting concept. i myself like open wheel. much faster than nascar and ain't over quickly like drag racing.
do we have to show our work? ha ha. no problem. will do.

 

xFreebirdx,
if i goofed up a decimal point or two, then my equations will be off. but here we go:
N=nascar
TF = alky/methane-nitro top fuel dragster
' = feet
s = sec or second(s)
m=mile(s)
/ = per & divided by
N=200 mph=0.05555556 m/s=293.3334'/s
TF=336.15 mph=0.093375 m/s=493.02'/s
N 1000'/293.3=3.409
TF 1000'/3.837

N is 4.47 s through 1/4 mile
TF is 4.437 s through 1/4 mile
difference is 0.033 secs
based on acceleration formula: TF wins by 6.69' at the differential time margin.

if i'm wrong, please, someone correct me or show me my mistake(s)
do you already have the answer?

 

Original post 06-02-2006, 10:57 AM / Calling all you math heads, answer me this!



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i guess i goofed that one up. well, at least i tried. i did like Mr. Dumass' thorough explanation on the last of the thread. most interesting. thanks for the quiz...........we'll look forward to more. thanks again!