A runner has a track lap time of 2 minutes while at a run, 5 minutes while at a jog, 7 minutes while at a walk. ?

Question

A runner has a track lap time of 2 minutes while at a run, 5 minutes while at a jog, 7 minutes while at a walk. If 2/5 lap is paced at a run, 1/3 at a jog, and 4/15 at a walk what is the total lap time of the runner?Write as a mixed number or fraction

Answer 1

Hi Allie,

 

We can compute the Total Lap Time by multiplying each fraction by its associated lap time given in the problem and then adding these results together:

 

    Run Lap Time = (2/5)(2) = 4/5 minutes

    Jog Lap Time = (1/3)(5) = 5/3 minutes

    Walk Lap Time = (4/15)(7) = 28/15 minutes

 

    Total Lap Time = 4/5 + 5/3 + 28/15

 

Now let's add the time fractions together by bringing them under a single common denominator and then adding their numerators together:

    (4x3)/(5x3) + (5x5)/(3x5) + (28 x 1)(15 x1) 

    12/15 + 25/15 + 28/15  

    (12 + 25 + 28)/15 = 68/15

 

Now for our last step - converting our improper fraction to a mixed number - we divide the denominator into the numerator and then express the result as a whole number and a remainder fraction:

    68/15 = 4 8/15

 

Total Lap Time = 4 8/15 minutes.

 

The key to solving this problem was recognizing that the Total Lap Time was the sum of the three individual lap times for each given portion of the lap.

 

Thanks for submitting this problem and glad to help.

 

God bless, Jordan.