Question

Carol, Jada, and Brian were riding their bikes to the library after school. The library is 12 1/2 miles from school. Carol rides her bile 2 1/2 miles every five minutes. Jaylen rides her bike 5 3/4 miles every 12 minutes. Brian rides his bike 1 1/4 miles every 2 5/8 minutes. If they all leave school at the same exact time and follow the same exact path to the library, which person will arrive at the library first?​

Answer 1

Carol will arrive first.

Explanation:

Since everyone leaves at the exact time and exact same spot, the problem devolves into who has the greatest speed.

To calculate speed, we do distance over time

Carol can bike 2.5 miles in 5 min, so their speed is .5 miles per min.

Jaylen can bike 5.75 miles in 12 min, so their speed is .479 miles per min.

Brian can bike at 1.25 miles in 2.625, so their speed is .476 miles per min.

Distance to the library doesn't matter in the context of the problem.