Car Truck
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x is where they meet...car has travelled 3/4 and truck has travelled 1/4 (in the opposite direction) (because truck travels at 1/3 speed of car)
time units for car to get to x = 3 for truck to get to x is also 3
time units for car to back up to start to let truck pass = 3 x 3 = 9
time units for car to continue forward to other side = 4
Total time for both vehicles to be clear would then be 9+4= 13 time units from point x start
Time units for truck to get to x = 3
Time units for truck to back up to its origin = 3x3 = 9
Time units for truck to then cross thru detour and clear the ither end = 3x4 = 12
Total time if for both vehicles to clear if TRUCK is the one to back up = 9+12 = 21 time units
SO it is faster if the CAR backs up to the start to let the truck pass and then the car continues on its way across.