Simon and Owen started on a 55-km cycling trip at the same time. They cycled at the same speed for first 5 km. For the remaining 50 km, Simon cycled faster than Owen. He arrived at the finishing point 12 minutes before Owen who was 5 km behind him. Owen did not change his speed throughout and completed it at 09 30.
- At what time did the trip begin? Give the answer in 12-hour format.
- What was Simon's average speed for the remaining 50 km of the trip in km/h?
(a)
60 min = 1 h
12 min =
1260 h =
15 Owen's average speed
= 5 ÷
15 = 25 km/h
Time that Owen took for the trip
= 55 ÷ 25
= 2
525 h
= 2
15 h
= 2 h 12 min
2 h 12 min before 09 30 is 07 18.
(b)
To find the time that Simon took for the remaining 50 km of the trip, we need to use the time that Owen took subtract that of the time taken for first 5 km and the time that Simon was faster than Owen.
Time that Simon took for the remaining 50 km of the trip
= 2
15 -
15 -
15 = 1
45 h
Simon's average speed
= 50 ÷ 1
45 = 27
79 km/h
Answer(s): (a) 07 18; (b) 27
79 km/h