Try this beautiful problem from the American Invitational Mathematics Examination, AIME, 2012 based on Distance Time.
Distance Time – AIME 2012
When they meet at the milepost, Sparky has been ridden for n miles total. Assume Butch rides Sparky for a miles, and Sundance rides for n-a miles. Thus, we can set up an equation, given that Sparky takes \(\frac{1}{6}\) hours per mile, Butch takes \(\frac{1}{4}\) hours per mile, and Sundance takes \(\frac{2}{5}\) hours per mile.
- is 107
- is 279
- is 840
- cannot be determined from the given information
Key Concepts
Time
Distance
Speed
Check the Answer
Answer: is 279.
AIME, 2012, Question 4
Problem Solving Strategies by Arther Engel
Try with Hints
After meeting at milepost, Sparky for n miles. Let Butch with Sparky for a miles Sundance with Sparky for n-a miles.
Then
\(\frac{a}{6} + \frac{n-a}{4}\) = \(\frac{n-a}{6} + \frac{2a}{5}\) implies that \(a = \frac{5}{19}n\)
Then integral value of n is 19 and a = 5 and \(t = \frac{13}{3}\) hours that is 260 minutes. Then \(19 + 260 = {279}\).
Other useful links
- https://www.cheenta.com/cubes-and-rectangles-math-olympiad-hanoi-2018/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST58GTF95t4&t=140s