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2023 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 11

Problem

NASA’s Perseverance Rover was launched on July $30,$ $2020.$ After traveling $292{,}526{,}838$ miles, it landed on Mars in Jezero Crater about $6.5$ months later. Which of the following is closest to the Rover’s average interplanetary speed in miles per hour?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 6{,}000 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ 12{,}000 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 60{,}000 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 120{,}000 \qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 600{,}000$

Solution 1

Note that $6.5$ months is approximately $6.5\cdot30\cdot24$ hours. Therefore, the speed (in miles per hour) is \[\frac{292{,}526{,}838}{6.5\cdot30\cdot24} \approx \frac{300{,}000{,}000}{6.5\cdot30\cdot24} = \frac{10{,}000{,}000}{6.5\cdot24} \approx \frac{10{,}000{,}000}{6.4\cdot25} = \frac{10{,}000{,}000}{160} = 62500 \approx \boxed{\textbf{(C)}\ 60{,}000}.\] As the answer choices are far apart from each other, we can ensure that the approximation is correct.

~apex304, SohumUttamchandani, MRENTHUSIASM

Solution 2

Note that $292{,}526{,}838 \approx 300{,}000{,}000$ miles. We also know that $6.5$ months is approximately $6.5\cdot30\cdot24$ hours. Now, we can calculate the speed in miles per hour, which we find is about \[\dfrac{300{,}000{,}000}{6.5\cdot30\cdot24}=\dfrac{10{,}000{,}000}{6.5\cdot24}=\dfrac{10{,}000{,}000}{13\cdot12}=\dfrac{10{,}000{,}000}{156}\approx\dfrac{10{,}000{,}000}{150}\approx\dfrac{200{,}000}{3}\approx\boxed{\textbf{(C)}\ 60{,}000}.\] ~MathFun1000

Remark

This problem is a great example of a situation where rounding all the numbers to ones we can easily work with is an excellent first step. In any competitive timed test, especially the AMC, if you see problems that require you to choose answers that are the closest, this is a sign to you that you can speed through this problem and move on quickly.

~Nivaar

Video Solution (HOW TO THINK CREATIVELY!!!)

https://youtu.be/AKJ4XmfYEsA

~Education the Study of everything

Video Solution by Math-X (Smart and Simple)

https://youtu.be/Ku_c1YHnLt0?si=qbC0eobIhyCNKboM&t=1647

~Math-X

Video Solution by SpreadTheMathLove

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJqTqVLEFnI

Video Solution (Animated)

https://youtu.be/hwR2VM9tHJ0

~Star League (https://starleague.us)

Video Solution by Magic Square

https://youtu.be/-N46BeEKaCQ?t=4695

Video Solution by Interstigation

https://youtu.be/DBqko2xATxs&t=967

Video Solution by harungurcan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIGy79w1H8o&t=707s

~harungurcan

See Also

2023 AMC 8 (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by
Problem 10 		Followed by
Problem 12
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25
All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

The problems on this page are copyrighted by the Mathematical Association of America's American Mathematics Competitions. AMC logo.png

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