2019 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 5

Problem 5

A tortoise challenges a hare to a race. The hare eagerly agrees and quickly runs ahead, leaving the slow-moving tortoise behind. Confident that he will win, the hare stops to take a nap. Meanwhile, the tortoise walks at a slow steady pace for the entire race. The hare awakes and runs to the finish line, only to find the tortoise already there. Which of the following graphs matches the description of the race, showing the distance $d$ traveled by the two animals over time $t$ from start to finish?

Solution 1

First, the tortoise walks at a constant rate, ruling out $(D)$ Second, when the hare is resting, the distance will stay the same, ruling out $(E)$ and $(C)$ . Third, the tortoise wins the race, meaning that the non-constant one should go off the graph last, ruling out $(A)$ . Therefore, the answer $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}}$ is the only one left.

$\phantom{Note to the original author of this solution: "we shouldn't be able to edit" is incorrect (if its definition is what I think it is), because I was able to edit. Also, I deleted that, (but did nothing else) }$

Solution 2

First, we know that the rabbit beats the tortoise in the first half of the race. So he is going to be ahead of the tortoise. We also know, while he rested, he didn't move. The only graph portraying that is going to be $\boxed{\textbf{(B)}}$ . This is our answer. ~bobthefam

Video Solution (Also includes problems 1-10)= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5i69xiEF-pk&t=2s

Also see

2019 AMC 8 (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 4	Followed by Problem 6
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All AJHSME/AMC 8 Problems and Solutions

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2019 AMC 8 Problems/Problem 5

Contents

Problem 5

Solution 1

Solution 2

Also see