2019 AMC 8 Problem 16

Attempt Problem 16 of the 2019 AMC 8 below, then check your answer against the video solution and professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 2019 AMC 8 solutions, or check the answer key.

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

16.

Qiang drives 1515 miles at an average speed of 3030 miles per hour. How many additional miles will he have to drive at 5555 miles per hour to average 5050 miles per hour for the entire trip?
4545
6262
9090
110110
135135
Answer: D
Concepts:distance rate and timelinear equation
Small hint:
The first 1515 miles took 12\frac12 hour
Big hint:
Set total time equal to total distance divided by 5050
Video solution:
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Written solution:
For the first 1515 miles, Qiang drove for 1530=12\dfrac{15}{30} = \dfrac{1}{2} an hour.
Let xx be the distance that Qiang must drive to satisfy the condition. It will take him x55\dfrac{x}{55} hours to drive this distance.
The total trip is now 15+x15 + x miles. We know the average speed is 5050 miles per hour, so this will take him x+1550\dfrac{x + 15}{50} hours.
Setting the two times equal to each other, we get 12+x55=x+1550. \dfrac{1}{2} + \dfrac{x}{55} = \dfrac{x + 15}{50}.
Cross-multiplying and simplifying yields 15+x=25+10x11⇒x=110. 15 + x = 25 + \dfrac{10x}{11} \Rightarrow x = 110.
Thus, the correct answer is D.
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