Multiple choice

After noting down the odometer reading, which showed the smallest four-digit square number, Rimzim started driving to school at a constant speed at 9:00 A.M. After one hour, he realized he would be late and doubled his speed. He reached school at 11:00 A.M. In the school parking lot, he noticed that the odometer now showed the smallest four-digit number that reads the same from both sides and is greater than 1200. What was Rimzim's speed at 9:50 A.M.?(round to one decimal place)

  1. 55.5 km/hr

  2. 60.5 km/hr

  3. 65.7 km/hr

  4. 68.6 km/hr

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The smallest 4-digit square is 32^2 = 1024. The smallest 4-digit palindrome > 1200 is 1221. The distance covered is 1221 - 1024 = 197 km. Let v be the initial speed. He drives 1 hour at v and 1 hour at 2v, covering 3v = 197 km. Thus, v = 65.66... km/hr. Since the speed was constant until 10:00 A.M., the speed at 9:50 A.M. is 65.7 km/hr.