Question

The favorite to win the race is a Kenyan who holds the current best time, which is 3 minutes 29.4 seconds. The Kenyan runs a very steady race. Each of the Kenyan's lap times (400 meters) is within a second of each other. You run a completely different type of race. You have a very strong kick, which means you usually lag behind for the first three laps to save energy, and then when the leader has 300 meters to go you pour it on to win at the tape. You like to save energy in the first three laps, but you don't want to be more than 50 meters behind when you start your kick to the finish line.

Determine your strategy to win this race. What is the average speed you need to run during the first part of the race? What is the average speed you need to run during your kick to win the race? How might your race change if the Kenyan runs two seconds faster?

a) Run the first part at 3 minutes 30.4 seconds per lap, kick at 3 minutes 29.4 seconds per lap. The race becomes more challenging if the Kenyan runs two seconds faster.

b) Run the first part at 3 minutes 28.4 seconds per lap, kick at 3 minutes 29.4 seconds per lap. The race becomes easier if the Kenyan runs two seconds faster.

c) Run the first part at 3 minutes 29.4 seconds per lap, kick at 3 minutes 28.4 seconds per lap. The race becomes more challenging if the Kenyan runs two seconds faster.

d) Run the first part at 3 minutes 29.4 seconds per lap, kick at 3 minutes 30.4 seconds per lap. The race becomes easier if the Kenyan runs two seconds faster.

Answer 1

To win the race, run the first part at an average speed of 3 minutes and 28.4 seconds per lap and maintain an average speed of 3 minutes and 29.4 seconds per lap during your kick.

Step-by-step explanation:

To win the race, you should run the first part at an average speed of 3 minutes and 28.4 seconds per lap. This will allow you to stay within 50 meters of the leader when you start your kick. During your kick, you should maintain an average speed of 3 minutes and 29.4 seconds per lap.

If the Kenyan runs two seconds faster, your race becomes more challenging. In this case, you should run the first part at an average speed of 3 minutes and 29.4 seconds per lap and increase your kick to an average speed of 3 minutes and 30.4 seconds per lap.