The snow plow

HardCalculus~12m

Snow begins falling at a constant rate at some moment before noon. A plow that clears a constant volume of snow per minute starts at noon; it covers 2 miles in the first hour and 3 miles in the second. How many minutes before noon did it start snowing? (nearest minute)

Show hints (2)+
  1. Distance is the integral of speed, which is inversely proportional to snow depth.
  2. Take the ratio of the two hour-equations to eliminate the constant.

Answer

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37 (± 2)

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Asked at: Jane Street, Citadel

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