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imc

geometry intermediate

Problem

Odell and Kershaw run for minutes on a circular track. Odell runs clockwise at and uses the inner lane with a radius of meters. Kershaw runs counterclockwise at and uses the outer lane with a radius of meters, starting on the same radial line as Odell. How many times after the start do they pass each other?
(A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
Solution
Since , we note that Odell runs one lap in minutes, while Kershaw also runs one lap in minutes. They take the same amount of time to run a lap, and since they are running in opposite directions they will meet exactly twice per lap (once at the starting point, the other at the half-way point). Thus, there are laps run by both, or meeting points.
Final answer
D