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13 Jan 2026, 12:21
Kudos
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Ship Alpha: 32
Ship Beta: 40
Two cargo ships, Ship Alpha and Ship Beta, transport goods along a 400-nautical-mile channel. Ship Alpha makes the journey in k hours. Ship Beta makes the same journey in (k − 2.5) hours.
In the table, select for Ship Alpha a possible average speed (in nautical miles per hour) and select for Ship Beta a possible average speed (in nautical miles per hour) that would be jointly consistent with the given information. Make only two selections, one in each column.
In the table, select for Ship Alpha a possible average speed (in nautical miles per hour) and select for Ship Beta a possible average speed (in nautical miles per hour) that would be jointly consistent with the given information. Make only two selections, one in each column.
| Ship Alpha | Ship Beta | |
| 25 | ||
| 32 | ||
| 40 | ||
| 50 | ||
| 64 | ||
| 80 |
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Official Answer
Ship Alpha: 32
Ship Beta: 40
13 Jan 2026, 12:21
Kudos
Bookmarks
Official Solution:
The distance is 400 nautical miles. Ship Alpha takes k hours, Ship Beta takes k − 2.5 hours. So Beta is faster.
We need two speeds from the list such that the time difference is 2.5 hours. Time equals distance divided by speed.
Calculate the time for each speed:
• 25 knots: 400/25 = 16 hours
• 32 knots: 400/32 = 12.5 hours
• 40 knots: 400/40 = 10 hours
Stop!
We already have two times that differ by exactly 2.5 hours. The pair 12.5 hours and 10 hours gives a difference of 2.5 hours.
The slower ship, Alpha, has the longer time 12.5 hours, which corresponds to 32 knots.
The faster ship, Beta, has the shorter time 10 hours, which corresponds to 40 knots.
So select 32 knots for Ship Alpha and 40 knots for Ship Beta.
Correct answer:
Ship Alpha "32"
Ship Beta "40"
Bunuel
The distance is 400 nautical miles. Ship Alpha takes k hours, Ship Beta takes k − 2.5 hours. So Beta is faster.
We need two speeds from the list such that the time difference is 2.5 hours. Time equals distance divided by speed.
Calculate the time for each speed:
• 25 knots: 400/25 = 16 hours
• 32 knots: 400/32 = 12.5 hours
• 40 knots: 400/40 = 10 hours
Stop!
We already have two times that differ by exactly 2.5 hours. The pair 12.5 hours and 10 hours gives a difference of 2.5 hours.
The slower ship, Alpha, has the longer time 12.5 hours, which corresponds to 32 knots.
The faster ship, Beta, has the shorter time 10 hours, which corresponds to 40 knots.
So select 32 knots for Ship Alpha and 40 knots for Ship Beta.
Correct answer:
Ship Alpha "32"
Ship Beta "40"
