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2004 AMC 12A Problem 15

Problem 15 of 25IntermediateAlgebra

Brenda and Sally run in opposite directions on a circular track, starting at diametrically opposite points. They first meet after Brenda has run 100100 meters. They next meet after Sally has run 150150 meters past their first meeting point. Each girl runs at a constant speed. What is the length of the track in meters?

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Solution

Starting at opposite ends, when they first meet they have together run half the track. Between the first and second meetings, they together run a full track length. Since Brenda runs at a constant speed and covered 100100 meters before the first meeting, she covers 2100=2002 \cdot 100 = 200 meters between the two meetings. Adding Sally’s 150150 meters over that same interval gives a track length of 200+150=350200 + 150 = 350 meters. Thus, the correct answer is C.

More practice

Concepts: relative speed · distance rate and time · ratio and proportion

Problem text and solution from the LIVE past-contest archive. See also the AoPS wiki page for community solutions.