Question

Two truckers leave Charleston at the same time. They take 30 and 25 days respectively, to reach their destination and return to Charleston. The truckers each take continuous trips to and from Charleston. How many days will pass before the two truckers leave Charleston on the same day again?

Answer 1

The two truckers will leave Charleston on the same day again after 150 days, which is the least common multiple of their travel cycles.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine when the two truckers leave Charleston on the same day again, we use the concept of least common multiple (LCM). The LCM of their travel cycles, 30 and 25 days, will provide the number of days that must pass before both truckers start their trips from Charleston simultaneously.

The factors of 30 are 2, 3, and 5 (with 5 repeated twice), while the factors of 25 are 5 (repeated twice). Combining these, the LCM is 2 × 3 × 5 × 5, which equals 150. Therefore, 150 days will pass before the two truckers leave Charleston on the same day again.