Howard and Cole took part in a 16 km marathon. Howard ran half the distance at a speed of 10 km/h and ran slower for the rest of the way at a speed of 8 km/h. Cole ran half his total time at 12 km/h and ran slower for the rest of the time at 10 km/h. If they started the marathon at 6.30 a.m., at what time would each of them finish?

1. Howard
2. Cole

(a)
Half of the 16 km marathon = 16 ÷ 2 = 8 km

Time taken by Howard for the first half of the marathon
= 8 ÷ 10
= ⁴₅ h

Time taken by Howard for the last half of the marathon
= 8 ÷ 8
= 1 h

Total time taken by Howard
= ⁴₅ + 1
= 1⁴₅ h

1 h = 60 min
⁴₅ h = ⁴₅ x 60 = 48 min
1⁴₅ h = 1 h 48 min

1 h 48 min after 6.30 a.m. = 8.18 a.m.
Time that Howard would finish the marathon = 8.18 a.m.

(b)
Time taken by Cole for the first half of the marathon
= 8 ÷ 12
= ²₃ h

Time taken by Cole for the last half of the marathon
= 8 ÷ 10
= ⁴₅ h

Total time taken by Cole
= ²₃ + ⁴₅
= 1⁷₁₅ h

1 h = 60 min
⁷₁₅ h = ⁷₁₅ x 60 = 28 min
1⁷₁₅ h = 1 h 28 min
1 h 28 min after 6.30 a.m. = 7.58 a.m.
Time that Cole would finish the marathon = 7.58 a.m.

Answer(s): (a) 8.18 a.m.; (b) 7.58 a.m.