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

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

(a)
1 h = 60 min

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

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

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

Eric's distance : Paul's distance
3 : 5 - 3
3 : 2

Eric's distance : Tom's distance
4 : 5 - 4
4 : 1

Eric	Paul	Tom
3x4	2x4
4x3		1x3
12	8	3

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

In 1 h
Eric's rounds : Paul's rounds : Tom's rounds
12 : 8 : 3

Distance that Tom 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