2001 AMC 8 Problem 5

Attempt Problem 5 of the 2001 AMC 8 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2001 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

5.

On a dark and stormy night Snoopy suddenly saw a flash of lightning. Ten seconds later he heard the sound of thunder. The speed of sound is 10881088 feet per second and one mile is 52805280 feet. Estimate, to the nearest half-mile, how far Snoopy was from the flash of lightning.
11
1121\frac{1}{2}
22
2122\frac{1}{2}
33
Answer: C
Concepts:distance rate and timeestimationunit conversion
Small hint:
Use distance equals rate times time
Big hint:
Compare the distance with 22 miles
Solution:
In 1010 seconds, the thunder was able to travel 10⋅1088=1088010 \cdot 1088 = 10880 feet.
Note that 22 miles is about 2⋅5280=105602 \cdot 5280 = 10560 feet, which is close to what we found above.
Thus, C is the correct answer.
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