Question

Maria can run 5 miles in the time that it takes Gus to run 4 miles. Assuming that both Maria and Gus maintain constant speeds and run for equal periods of time, which equation correctly relates the variables defined below?

G: distance Gus runs, in miles

M: distance Maria runs, in miles

Answer 1

5 miles / Maria's time = 4 miles / Gus's time

Since both Maria and Gus run for equal periods of time, we can set their times equal to each other:

5 miles / t = 4 miles / t

where t is the time it takes both of them to run.

Simplifying this equation, we can see that the distance Maria runs (M) is equal to the distance Gus runs (G) multiplied by 5/4:

M = (5/4)G

Therefore, the correct equation that relates the variables defined is:

M = (5/4)G

This means that Maria's distance is 1.25 times Gus's distance. So, the correct answer is option B: M = 1.25G.