Final answer:
To determine the latest time Lucy can start the hike to the lake, subtract half of the total time spent hiking from 12:55 PM. The correct answer is option D. 10:35 A.M.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the latest time Lucy can start the hike to the lake, we need to subtract the total time it would take for her to hike there and back from 12:55 PM. Let's assume it takes her x amount of time to hike to the lake and the same amount of time to hike back. So, the total time spent hiking would be 2x. If Lucy wants to be back by 12:55 PM, she needs to start hiking 2x hours before then. To find x, we can divide the total time spent hiking (2x) by 2. Therefore, the latest time Lucy can start the hike to the lake is 12:55 PM minus half of the total time spent hiking. Based on the answer choices provided, the correct answer would be option D. 10:35 A.M.