race:

This topic has expert replies
Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts
Posts: 62
Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2010 8:06 pm
Thanked: 2 times

race:

by advita » Thu Jan 13, 2011 1:11 am
## A, B and C run around a circular track of length 750m at speeds of 3 m/sec, 6 m/sec and 18 m/sec respectively. If all three start from the same point, simultaneously and run in the same direction, when will they meet for the first time after they start the race?

A. 750 seconds
B. 50 seconds
C. 250 seconds
D. 375 seconds
E. 75 seconds

Oa-...C
pl show your proceedings/steps. thanks.
Source: — Problem Solving |

Legendary Member
Posts: 1337
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 6:29 pm
Thanked: 127 times
Followed by:10 members

by Night reader » Thu Jan 13, 2011 1:37 am
advita wrote:## A, B and C run around a circular track of length 750m at speeds of 3 m/sec, 6 m/sec and 18 m/sec respectively. If all three start from the same point, simultaneously and run in the same direction, when will they meet for the first time after they start the race?

A. 750 seconds
B. 50 seconds
C. 250 seconds
D. 375 seconds
E. 75 seconds

Oa-...C
pl show your proceedings/steps. thanks.
A and B meet when A makes one leap and B makes two leaps => 2 leaps for A&B meeting point
B and C meet when B makes one leap and C makes three leaps => 3 leaps for B&C meeting point
A, B, and C meet when all three make 6 leaps => C makes 3 leaps and B makes 2 leaps 3*2=6 leaps by C

6*(750/18)=250

User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 15539
Joined: Tue May 25, 2010 12:04 pm
Location: New York, NY
Thanked: 13060 times
Followed by:1906 members
GMAT Score:790

by GMATGuruNY » Thu Jan 13, 2011 3:33 am
advita wrote:## A, B and C run around a circular track of length 750m at speeds of 3 m/sec, 6 m/sec and 18 m/sec respectively. If all three start from the same point, simultaneously and run in the same direction, when will they meet for the first time after they start the race?

A. 750 seconds
B. 50 seconds
C. 250 seconds
D. 375 seconds
E. 75 seconds

Oa-...C
pl show your proceedings/steps. thanks.
We can plug in the answer choices, which represent the first time the 3 runners will meet.

In order for A, B and C to meet, the two fastest runners -- B and C -- must go around the track at least once in order to catch up to A.
Since the rate for B = 6 m/sec, and the distance = 750m, we know that at least 750/6 = 125 seconds must elapse before the 3 runners will meet. Eliminate B and E.

Answer choice C: 250 seconds
Distance for A = r*t = 3*250 = 750. 750 = 1 time around the track.
Distance for B = r*t = 6*250 = 1500. 1500/750 = 2 times around the track.
Distance for C = r*t = 18*250 = 4500. 4500/750 = 6 times around the track.
Thus, after 250 seconds, all 3 runners will be meet at the starting point.

The correct answer is C.
Private tutor exclusively for the GMAT and GRE, with over 20 years of experience.
Followed here and elsewhere by over 1900 test-takers.
I have worked with students based in the US, Australia, Taiwan, China, Tajikistan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia -- a long list of countries.
My students have been admitted to HBS, CBS, Tuck, Yale, Stern, Fuqua -- a long list of top programs.

As a tutor, I don't simply teach you how I would approach problems.
I unlock the best way for YOU to solve problems.

For more information, please email me (Mitch Hunt) at [email protected].
Student Review #1
Student Review #2
Student Review #3