Difference between revisions of "1996 AHSME Problems/Problem 13"
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In option <math>D</math>, when <math>m</math> gets large, the ratio <math>\frac{m}{m-1}</math> gets very close to, but remains just a tiny bit over, the number <math>1</math>. Thus, when you multiply it by <math>h</math>, the ratio in option <math>D</math> gets very close to, but remains just a tiny bit over, <math>h</math>. Thus, the best option out of all the choices is <math>\boxed{D}</math>. | In option <math>D</math>, when <math>m</math> gets large, the ratio <math>\frac{m}{m-1}</math> gets very close to, but remains just a tiny bit over, the number <math>1</math>. Thus, when you multiply it by <math>h</math>, the ratio in option <math>D</math> gets very close to, but remains just a tiny bit over, <math>h</math>. Thus, the best option out of all the choices is <math>\boxed{D}</math>. | ||
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+ | ==Solution 3== | ||
+ | |||
+ | Assume that Sunny originally runs at a unit speed, and thus Moonbeam runs at a rate of <math>m</math>. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Choose a new reference frame where Sunny is still, and Moonbeam runs at a rate of <math>m-1</math>. In this new reference frame, the distance to be run is still <math>h</math>. | ||
+ | |||
+ | Moonbeam runs this distance <math>h</math> in a time of <math>\frac{h}{m-1}</math> | ||
+ | |||
+ | Returning to the original reference frame, if Moonbeam runs for <math>\frac{h}{m-1}</math> seconds, Moonbeam will cover a distance of <math>\frac{hm}{m-1}</math>, which is option <math>\boxed{D}</math>. | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
{{AHSME box|year=1996|num-b=12|num-a=14}} | {{AHSME box|year=1996|num-b=12|num-a=14}} |
Revision as of 11:02, 19 August 2011
Contents
[hide]Problem
Sunny runs at a steady rate, and Moonbeam runs times as fast, where is a number greater than 1. If Moonbeam gives Sunny a head start of meters, how many meters must Moonbeam run to overtake Sunny?
Solution 1
If Sunny runs at a rate of for meters in minutes, then .
In that case, Moonbeam's rate is , and Moonbeam's distance is , and the amount of time is the same. Thus,
Solving each equation for , we have
Cross multiplying, we get
Solving for , we get , which leads to .
Note that is the distance that Sunny ran. Moonbeam ran meters more, for a total of . This is answer .
Solution 2
Note that is a length, while is a dimensionless constant. Thus, and cannot be added, and and are not proper answers, since they both contain .
Thus, we only concern ourselves with answers .
If is a very, very large number, then Moonbeam will have to run just over meters to reach Sunny. Or, in the language of limits:
, where is the distance Moonbeam needs to catch Sunny at the given rate ratio of .
In option , when gets large, the distance gets large. Thus, is not a valid answer.
In option , when gets large, the distance approaches , not as desired. This is not a valid answer. (In fact, this is the distance Sunny runs, which does approach as Moonbeam gets faster and faster.)
In option , when gets large, the ratio gets very close to, but remains just a tiny bit over, the number . Thus, when you multiply it by , the ratio in option gets very close to, but remains just a tiny bit over, . Thus, the best option out of all the choices is .
Solution 3
Assume that Sunny originally runs at a unit speed, and thus Moonbeam runs at a rate of .
Choose a new reference frame where Sunny is still, and Moonbeam runs at a rate of . In this new reference frame, the distance to be run is still .
Moonbeam runs this distance in a time of
Returning to the original reference frame, if Moonbeam runs for seconds, Moonbeam will cover a distance of , which is option .
See also
1996 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources) | ||
Preceded by Problem 12 |
Followed by Problem 14 | |
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 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30 | ||
All AHSME Problems and Solutions |