Last Updated on May 3, 2023
GMAT OFFICIAL GUIDE PS
Solution:
We are given that Bob plans to run south along the river, turn around, and return to where he started. We can draw this out.
We know that his run south (from the parking lot) and his run north (back to the parking lot) are equal in distance. We will use this information later in the solution.
We are also given that Bob’s rate is 8 minutes per mile, or, in other words, (since Rate = Distance/Time) his rate is 1 mile per 8 minutes or 1/8.
We are told that Bob had already run 3.25 miles south, and he wants to run for 50 minutes more. Thus, we calculate how far Bob will go in the remaining 50 minutes.
Distance = Rate x Time
Distance = 1/8 x 50
Distance = 50/8 = 25/4 = 6.25 miles
Thus, we know that Bob’s total running distance will be 6.25 + 3.25 = 9.5 miles. Because we know the distance is THE SAME both ways, we know that each leg of his trip is 9.5/2 = 4.75 miles. Since Bob has ALREADY RUN 3.25 miles south, he can run 4.75 – 3.25 = 1.5 miles more. At that point he will have to turn around and head back north to the parking lot.
Answer: A
