PROBLEM SOLVING

Question

Four friends ran a race:

Ben finished seven seconds ahead of Mike.

Noel finished three seconds behind Sam.

Mike finished five seconds behind Noel.

In what order did the friends finish the race.

Show you solutions.

Answer 1

B=M +7 Ben finishes 7 seconds ahead of Mike B>M

N = S -3 Noel finished 3 seconds behind Sam S>N

M = N + 5 Mike finished 5 seconds ahead of Noel M>N

M = S-3 + 5= S +2 Mike finished 2 seconds ahead of Sam M>S

B = S+2 + 7 = S + 9 B>S

B> M > S > N

Ben 1st

Mike 2nd

Sam 3rd

Noel last