It's in the description

Question

The length of the Boston Marathon is 138,435 ft. Each stride, or step, by a particular runner is 3 ft. long. Does the number of strides the runner takes fit evenly into the length of the race? Explain.

 

I am not really sure what this question is even asking. I did try to calculate the problem. And it came out into an even number. But I am not sure if the question is asking to split the length of the race in two groups or just into even groups. Please help me. And thank you to ever does. 

Answer 1

Taryn,

By evenly the problem means that if you layed all the strides side by side, then the last one would end exactly on the finish line.  Or more simply, if you divide the course length by the stride, the Remainder would be zero.  There are no even or odd groups to worry about.

 

So  138,435 / 3 = 46,145 strides exactly,  so the strides fit evenly into the course.

 

BTW, I could have a stride of 3.2 ft and win the race even though 138,435 / 3.2 = 43,260.9375 doesn't fit evenly.  Then my last stride would land beyond the finish line and not just on it.