Triathlete Dan runs along a 2-mile stretch of river and then swims

[BTGModeratorVI]

Triathlete Dan runs along a 2-mile stretch of river and then swims back along the same route. If Dan runs at a rate of 10 miles per hour and swims at a rate of 6 miles per hour, what is his average rate for the entire trip in miles per minute?

A. 1/8
B. 2/15
C. 3/15
D. 1/4
E. 3/8

Answer: A
Source: Manhattan Prep

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

Triathlete Dan runs along a 2-mile stretch of river and then swims back along the same route. If Dan runs at a rate of 10 miles per hour and swims at a rate of 6 miles per hour, what is his average rate for the entire trip in miles per minute?

A. 1/8
B. 2/15
C. 3/15
D. 1/4
E. 3/8

Answer: A
Source: Manhattan Prep

Average speed = (total distance)/(total time)

We know the total distance = 4 miles

The total time consists of two parts:
Let's begin with a "word equation"
TOTAL time = (time spent running) + (time spent swimming)

time = distance/speed
So, time spent running = 2/10 = 1/5 hours = 12 minutes
time spent swimming = 2/6 = 1/3 hours = 20 minutes

TOTAL time = (12 minutes) + (20 minutes)
= 32 minutes

AVERAGE speed = (total distance)/(total time)
= (4 miles)/(32 minutes)
= 1/8 miles/minute

Answer: A

Cheers,
Brent

[Scott@TargetTestPrep]

Triathlete Dan runs along a 2-mile stretch of river and then swims back along the same route. If Dan runs at a rate of 10 miles per hour and swims at a rate of 6 miles per hour, what is his average rate for the entire trip in miles per minute?

A. 1/8
B. 2/15
C. 3/15
D. 1/4
E. 3/8

Answer: A
Source: Manhattan Prep

We can use the average rate formula: average rate = total distance/total time. We see that the total distance is 4 miles. The total time for swimming is (2 miles)/(6 miles per hour) , and the total time for running is (2 miles)/(10 miles per hour). Thus, we have:

average rate = 4/(2/6 + 2/10)

average rate = 4/(1/3 + 1/5)

average rate = 4/(5/15 + 3/15)

average rate = 4/(8/15) = 60/8 mph

Since 1 hour = 60 minutes, then 60/8 mph = 60 mi/8 hr x 1 hr/60 min = 1/8 mi/min.

Answer: A