Introduction / Context:
This question combines time, distance and relative motion for walkers starting at different times. Instead of asking for speed directly in km/h or miles per hour, it asks for how many minutes B takes per mile, which is a slightly different but equivalent measure of speed.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- Distance from starting point to destination = 7 miles.
- Person A speed = 1 mile in 8 minutes.
- Person B starts 4 minutes after A from the same point.
- A reaches the destination, turns back, walks 1 mile back and meets B at that point.
- We assume straight path and constant speeds for both persons.
Concept / Approach:
Compute the total time A has been walking before meeting B. Use that to find how long B has been walking. Since we know B covers 6 miles (from start to meeting point 1 mile short of destination), we can determine how many minutes B takes per mile by dividing his walking time by his distance.
Step-by-Step Solution:
A walks from start to destination: 7 miles.
Time for A to reach destination = 7 * 8 = 56 minutes.
A then walks 1 mile back: extra 8 minutes.
Total walking time for A before meeting B = 56 + 8 = 64 minutes.
B starts 4 minutes after A, so B has been walking for 64 - 4 = 60 minutes by the meeting time.
Meeting point is 1 mile from destination, so it is 7 - 1 = 6 miles from start.
Therefore B walks 6 miles in 60 minutes.
Minutes per mile for B = 60 / 6 = 10 minutes per mile.
Verification / Alternative check:
B's speed in miles per hour = 60 minutes / 10 minutes per mile = 6 miles per hour.
In 1 hour B travels 6 miles; in 60 minutes in the scenario he also travels 6 miles, which is consistent.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
9 minutes per mile would mean 6.67 miles in 60 minutes, so B would be closer to or past the destination, which contradicts the meeting point.
12 minutes per mile gives only 5 miles in 60 minutes, so B would not have reached the meeting point that is 6 miles away.
8 minutes per mile implies B walks as fast as A, in which case their meeting pattern and start time difference would not match the given situation.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners forget to include the time A spends walking back 1 mile, thinking they meet exactly at the destination.
Another mistake is to assume 7 miles is the distance B walks and then divide the time incorrectly.
Always clearly mark distances on a mental or rough diagram and carefully account for each phase of the motion.
Final Answer:
B's speed is such that he takes 10 minutes per mile.
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