Ian, Julian and Perry started walking at the same time from the same starting point round a circular track. Perry walked in the clockwise direction. Ian and Julian walked in an anti-clockwise direction. Perry took 5 min to complete each round. He met Ian after every 3 minutes. He met Julian after every 4 minutes. The three friends kept to their respective speeds throughout their walk.

1. How many rounds did Perry complete in 1 h?
2. When Perry and Ian met again at the starting point after 1 h, Julian had completed 1.5 km. Find the circumference of the circular track in metres.

(a)
1 h = 60 min

Number of rounds that Perry completed in 1 h
= 60 ÷ 5
= 12

(b)
Perry took 5 min to complete 1 round
1 min = ¹₅ of circular track = 1 u
5 min = ⁵₅ of circular track = 5 u

Perry's distance is the repeated identity.
Make Perry's distance the same.

Perry's distance : Ian's distance
3 : 5 - 3
3 : 2

Perry's distance : Julian's distance
4 : 5 - 4
4 : 1

Perry	Ian	Julian
3x4	2x4
4x3		1x3
12	8	3

The distance of Perry is the repeated identity. 
LCM of 3 and 4 = 12

In 1 h
Perry's rounds : Ian's rounds : Julian's rounds
12 : 8 : 3

Distance that Julian completed in 1 h = 1.5 km

3 rounds = 1.5 km = 1500 m

1 round = 1500 ÷ 3 = 500 m

Circumference of the circular track = 500 m

Answer(s): (a) 12; (b) 500 m