Question

Alex, Ingrid, and Eric are seventh-grade triple jumpers. Alex jumps 39.85 feet, Ingrid jumps 37 feet 8 inches. Who came closer to the state record if the eighth-grade record is 42 feet 25 inches, and the seventh-grade record is 39 feet 3 inches?

a) Alex
b) Ingrid
c) Eric
d) Cannot be determined

Answer 1

Comparing Alex's and Ingrid's jumps to the seventh-grade triple jump record, Alex surpassed the record while Ingrid fell short. Thus, Alex came closer to the state record.

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking whether Alex or Ingrid came closer to the seventh-grade triple jump record of 39 feet 3 inches. To determine this, we must compare their jumps to the record. Alex jumped 39.85 feet and Ingrid jumped 37 feet 8 inches (which is 37.6667 feet when converted to feet). Comparing these to the seventh-grade record:

• Alex's jump is 39.85 - 39.25 = 0.6 feet over the record.
• Ingrid's jump is 39.25 - 37.6667 = 1.5833 feet below the record.

Since Alex's jump exceeds the current record, while Ingrid's is below, Alex has not only beaten the record but has also come closer to it than Ingrid. We cannot comment on Eric's results as they are not provided. Therefore, the correct answer to who came closer to the state record is Alex.