Here's yet another solution:
Alex walks at 3 mph...which equals 3 *5280/60 = 264 ft. per minute.. ....so .....in 7 minutes....he is........7*264 = 1848 feet ahead of Ben
And Ben walks at 3.5 mph = 3.5 * 5280 / 60 = 308 ft per minute
So....the distance that Ben closes on Alex every minute = 308 - 264 = 44 ft
So....to close the 1848 ft....it will take Ben 1848/44 = 42 minutes after he starts.......and he will be
3.5 (42/60) = 2.45 miles from home
