Multiple choice

When will a hiker reach the summit of a mountain located 12 miles away if he starts at 7:00 AM, maintains a speed of 3 miles per hour for the first half of the distance, takes a 40-minute break, and then reduces his pace to 2 miles per hour due to increasing elevation?

  1. 12:40 PM

  2. 1:00 PM

  3. 1:40 PM

  4. 2:30 PM

  5. 3:10 PM
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A Correct answer
Explanation

The first 6 miles (half distance) at 3 mph takes 2 hours. Adding the 40-minute break, the time elapsed is 2 hours 40 minutes. The remaining 6 miles at 2 mph takes 3 hours. Total time is 5 hours 40 minutes from 7:00 AM, which is 12:40 PM.

AI explanation

Using the formula time equals distance divided by speed, the first half of the distance is 6 miles, which takes 6 divided by 3, or 2 hours. After a 40 minute break, the hiker covers the remaining 6 miles at 2 miles per hour, taking 6 divided by 2, or 3 hours. The total time is 5 hours and 40 minutes, so starting at 7:00 AM, the hiker reaches the summit at 12:40 PM.

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