The speeds of three asteroids were compared. Asteroids X-13 and Y-14 were observed for identical durations, while asteroid Z-15 was observed for 2 seconds longer. During its period of observation, asteroid Y-14 traveled three times the distance X-13 traveled, and therefore Y-14 was found to be faster than X-13 by 8000 kilometers per second. Asteroid Z-15 had an identical speed as that of X-13, but because Z-15 was observed for a longer period, it traveled five times the distance X-13 traveled during X-13's inspection. Asteroid X-13 traveled how many kilometers during its observation?  Options
A) 500  B) 1,600 / 3  C) 1,000  D) 1,500  E) 2,000

Rationale: x 13 : ( t , d , s ) y 14 : ( t , 3 d , s + 8000 mi / hour ) z 15 : ( t + 2 seconds , s , 5 d ) d = ? distance = speed * time x 13 : d = s * t x 14 : 3 d = ( s + 8000 ) * t = = = > 3 d = ts + 8000 t z 15 : 5 d = s * ( t + 2 t ) = = = > 5 d = st + 2 st = = = > 5 d - 2 st = st 3 d = 5 d - 2 st + 8000 t - 2 d = - 2 st + 8000 t 2 d = 2 st - 8000 t d = st - 4000 t x 13 : d = s * t st - 4000 t = s * t s - 4000 = s - 2000 = s i got to this point and could n ' t go any further . this seems like a problem where i can set up individual d = r * t formulas and solve but it appears that ' s not the case . for future reference how would i know not to waste my time setting up this problem in the aforementioned way ? thanks ! ! ! the distance of z 15 is equal to five times the distance of x 13 ( we established that x 13 is the baseline and thus , it ' s measurements are d , s , t ) s ( t + 2 ) = 5 ( s * t ) what clues would i have to know to set up the equation in this fashion ? is it because i am better off setting two identical distances together ? st + 2 s = 5 st t + 2 = 5 t 2 = 4 t t = 1 / 2 we are looking for distance ( d = s * t ) so we need to solve for speed now that we have time . speed y 14 - speed x 13 speed = d / t 3 d / t - d / t = 8000 ( remember , t is the same because both asteroids were observed for the same amount of time ) 2 d = 8000 2 = 4000 d = s * t d = 4000 * ( 1 / 2 ) d = 2000 answer : e
Answer: E