2021 Fall AMC 10A Problems/Problem 4

Problem

Mr. Lopez has a choice of two routes to get to work. Route A is $6$ miles long, and his average speed along this route is $30$ miles per hour. Route B is $5$ miles long, and his average speed along this route is $40$ miles per hour, except for a $\frac{1}{2}$ -mile stretch in a school zone where his average speed is $20$ miles per hour. By how many minutes is Route B quicker than Route A?

$\textbf{(A)}\ 2 \frac{3}{4} \qquad\textbf{(B)}\ 3 \frac{3}{4} \qquad\textbf{(C)}\ 4 \frac{1}{2} \qquad\textbf{(D)}\ 5 \frac{1}{2} \qquad\textbf{(E)}\ 6 \frac{3}{4}$

Solution

If Mr. Lopez chooses Route A, then he will spend $\frac{6}{30}=\frac{1}{5}$ hour, or $12$ minutes.

If Mr. Lopez chooses Route B, then he will spend $\frac{9/2}{40}+\frac{1/2}{20}=\frac{11}{80}$ hour, or $8\frac14$ minutes.

Therefore, Route B is quicker than Route A by $12-8\frac14=\boxed{\textbf{(B)}\ 3 \frac{3}{4}}$ minutes.

~MRENTHUSIASM

2021 Fall AMC 10A (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 3	Followed by Problem 5
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2021 Fall AMC 10A Problems/Problem 4

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