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In a 10 km10 \mathrm{~km} race. A, B, and C , each running at uniform speed, get the gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively. If A beats B by 1 km1 \mathrm{~km} and B beats C by 1 km1 \mathrm{~km}, then by how many metres does A beat C?

Entered answer:

Solution

✅ Correct Answer: 1900

When we say "A beats B by 1 km," this means that when A finishes the 10 km race, B has only covered 9 km. They both run for the same amount of time, but A covers more distance.


Since both runners run for the same time, the ratio of distances covered equals the ratio of their speeds.

When A completes 10 km, B completes 9 km (in the same time)

Speed ratio A : B = 10 : 9

When B completes 10 km, C completes 9 km (in the same time)

Speed ratio B : C = 10 : 9


We have:

A : B = 10 : 9

B : C = 10 : 9

To find A : B : C, we need to make B's value the same in both ratios.

We multiply the first ratio by 10 and the second ratio by 9:

A : B = 10 × 10 : 9 × 10 = 100 : 90

B : C = 10 × 9 : 9 × 9 = 90 : 81

Therefore: A : B : C = 100 : 90 : 81


Since A : C = 100 : 81, this means:

When A travels 100 meters, C travels 81 meters (in the same time)

When A travels 10000 meters (10 km), C travels: 81100×10000=8100\tfrac{81}{100} \times 10000 = 8100 meters

Distance by which A beats C:

10000−8100=190010000 - 8100 = 1900 meters


The beauty of this approach is that speed ratios remain constant throughout the race. If A is 100/81 times faster than C, this relationship holds whether they've run 1 km or 10 km.

Answer: A beats C by 1900 meters

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