Glen and Eric took part in a 42 km marathon. Glen ran half the distance at a speed of 9 km/h and ran slower for the rest of the way at a speed of 9 km/h. Eric ran half his total time at 10 km/h and ran slower for the rest of the time at 9 km/h. If they started the marathon at 5.30 a.m., at what time would each of them finish?

1. Glen
2. Eric

(a)
Half of the 42 km marathon = 42 ÷ 2 = 21 km

Time taken by Glen for the first half of the marathon
= 21 ÷ 9
= 2¹₃ h

Time taken by Glen for the last half of the marathon
= 21 ÷ 9
= 2¹₃ h

Total time taken by Glen
= 2¹₃ + 2¹₃
= 4²₃ h

1 h = 60 min
²₃ h = ²₃ x 60 = 40 min
4²₃ h = 4 h 40 min

4 h 40 min after 5.30 a.m. = 10.10 a.m.
Time that Glen would finish the marathon = 10.10 a.m.

(b)
Time taken by Eric for the first half of the marathon
= 21 ÷ 10
= 2¹₁₀ h

Time taken by Eric for the last half of the marathon
= 21 ÷ 9
= 2¹₃ h

Total time taken by Eric
= 2¹₁₀ + 2¹₃
= 4¹³₃₀ h

1 h = 60 min
¹³₃₀ h = ¹³₃₀ x 60 = 26 min
4¹³₃₀ h = 4 h 26 min
4 h 26 min after 5.30 a.m. = 9.56 a.m.
Time that Eric would finish the marathon = 9.56 a.m.

Answer(s): (a) 10.10 a.m.; (b) 9.56 a.m.