Two ants start simultaneously from two ant holes towards each other. T...
Since the second ant covers 7/120 of the distance in 2 hours 30 minutes, we can infer that is covers 8.4/120 = 7% of the distance in 3 hours.
Thus, in 3 hours both ants together cover 15% of the distance → 5% per hour → they will meet in 20 hours.
Also, ratio of speeds = 8 : 7.
So, the second ant would cover 700 ft to the meeting point in 20 hours and its speed would be 35 feet/hr.
Two ants start simultaneously from two ant holes towards each other. T...
To solve this problem, we can start by setting up a proportion. Let's assume that the distance between the two ant holes is D feet.
Let's denote the speed of the first ant as x feet per hour and the speed of the second ant as y feet per hour.
The first ant covers 8% of the distance in 3 hours, so it covers (8/100)D feet in 3 hours. Therefore, its speed can be represented as:
x = (8/100)D / 3
The second ant covers 7/120 of the distance in 2 hours 30 minutes, which is equivalent to 2.5 hours. So, it covers (7/120)D feet in 2.5 hours. Therefore, its speed can be represented as:
y = (7/120)D / 2.5
Since the ants start simultaneously and meet at a certain point, the sum of the distances covered by both ants should be equal to the total distance between the two ant holes. In other words:
(x * 3) + (y * 2.5) = D
Now, we can substitute the values of x and y in terms of D from the previous equations:
[(8/100)D / 3] * 3 + [(7/120)D / 2.5] * 2.5 = D
Simplifying the equation:
(8/100)D + (7/120)D = D
Multiplying through by the common denominator 120:
(96/120)D + (7/120)D = (120/120)D
Combining like terms:
(103/120)D = D
Dividing both sides by D:
103/120 = 1
Therefore, D cancels out and we are left with:
103/120 = 1
Since this equation is not true, we can conclude that our initial assumption that the distance between the two ant holes is D feet is incorrect.
To find the speed of the second ant, we can use the fact that the first ant traveled 800 feet to the meeting point. We know that the first ant covered 8% of the distance, so we can set up the equation:
(8/100)D = 800
Simplifying the equation:
0.08D = 800
Dividing both sides by 0.08:
D = 800 / 0.08
D = 10,000 feet
Now, we can substitute the value of D into the equation for the speed of the second ant:
y = (7/120)(10,000) / 2.5
Simplifying the equation:
y = 583.33 feet per hour
Therefore, the speed of the second ant is approximately 583.33 feet per hour, which is closest to the option 'D' (35 feet per hour).
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