Neave and Vincent took part in a 24 km marathon. Neave ran half the distance at a speed of 9 km/h and ran slower for the rest of the way at a speed of 8 km/h. Vincent ran half his total time at 10 km/h and ran slower for the rest of the time at 6 km/h. If they started the marathon at 6.30 a.m., at what time would each of them finish?

1. Neave
2. Vincent

(a)
Half of the 24 km marathon = 24 ÷ 2 = 12 km

Time taken by Neave for the first half of the marathon
= 12 ÷ 9
= 1¹₃ h

Time taken by Neave for the last half of the marathon
= 12 ÷ 8
= 1¹₂ h

Total time taken by Neave
= 1¹₃ + 1¹₂
= 2⁵₆ h

1 h = 60 min
⁵₆ h = ⁵₆ x 60 = 50 min
2⁵₆ h = 2 h 50 min

2 h 50 min after 6.30 a.m. = 9.20 a.m.
Time that Neave would finish the marathon = 9.20 a.m.

(b)
Time taken by Vincent for the first half of the marathon
= 12 ÷ 10
= 1¹₅ h

Time taken by Vincent for the last half of the marathon
= 12 ÷ 6
= 2 h

Total time taken by Vincent
= 1¹₅ + 2
= 3¹₅ h

1 h = 60 min
¹₅ h = ¹₅ x 60 = 12 min
3¹₅ h = 3 h 12 min
3 h 12 min after 6.30 a.m. = 9.42 a.m.
Time that Vincent would finish the marathon = 9.42 a.m.

Answer(s): (a) 9.20 a.m.; (b) 9.42 a.m.