BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Ann and Bea are at opposite sides of a CIRCULAR track. At 12:00 pm

Expert replies
by BTGModeratorVI » Sun Sep 27, 2020 7:08 am

Timer

00:00

Answers

A

B

C

D

E

Stats

Difficulty

Ann and Bea are at opposite sides of a CIRCULAR track. At 12:00 pm, Ann starts traveling clockwise at a constant speed of 25 kilometers per hour. At the same time, Bea starts traveling counter-clockwise at a constant speed of 10 kilometers per hour. At 1:30 pm that same day, Ann and Bea cross paths for the SECOND time. What is the circumference (in kilometers) of the circular track?

A) 17.5
B) 35
C) 42
D) 52.5
E) 70

Answer: B
Source: GMAT prep now
Join the discussion
Source: — Problem Solving |

BTGModeratorVI wrote:
Sun Sep 27, 2020 7:08 am
Ann and Bea are at opposite sides of a CIRCULAR track. At 12:00 pm, Ann starts traveling clockwise at a constant speed of 25 kilometers per hour. At the same time, Bea starts traveling counter-clockwise at a constant speed of 10 kilometers per hour. At 1:30 pm that same day, Ann and Bea cross paths for the SECOND time. What is the circumference (in kilometers) of the circular track?

A) 17.5
B) 35
C) 42
D) 52.5
E) 70

Answer: B
Source: GMAT prep now
Let's first calculate the TOTAL DISTANCE traveled by Ann and Bea combined.
Let's let H = HALF the circumference of the circle.

So, when they meet for the FIRST TIME....
Image
. . . we can see that their combined travel distance = H (halfway around the circle).


Once they meet the first time, we can see that, when they meet for the SECOND TIME....
Image
. . . we can see that their combined travel distance = 2H (from the time they met for the FIRST time).

So, the TOTAL distance traveled = H + 2H = 3H

The TOTAL travel time is 1.5 hours (noon to 1:30 pm)

Since Ann's speed is 25 kilometers per hour, and Bea's speed is 10 kilometers per hour, their COMBINED SPEED = 25 + 10 = 35 kilometers per hour

Since distance = (rate)(time), we can write: 3H = (35)(1.5)
Evaluate: 3H = 52.5
So, H = 17.5

In other words, HALF the distance around the circle = 17.5 kilometers.

So, the circumference of the circle = (2)(17.5) = 35 kilometers

Answer: B
Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com
Image
Join the discussion