2008 AMC 8 Problem 5

Attempt Problem 5 of the 2008 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 2008 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

5.

Barney Schwinn notices that the odometer on his bicycle reads 1441,1441, a palindrome, because it reads the same forward and backward. After riding 44 more hours that day and 66 the next, he notices that the odometer shows another palindrome, 1661.1661. What was his average speed in miles per hour?
 15 \ 15
 16 \ 16
 18 \ 18
 20 \ 20
 22 \ 22
Answer: E
Concepts:distance rate and time
Small hint:
Find the miles ridden by subtracting the odometer readings.
Big hint:
The total riding time is the 44 hours plus the 66 hours.
Solution:
The odometer increased by 1661−1441=2201661-1441=220 miles.
Barney rode for 4+6=104+6=10 hours, so his average speed was 220÷10=22220\div10=22 miles per hour.
Thus, E is the correct answer.
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