Last visit was: 29 Apr 2026, 01:31 It is currently 29 Apr 2026, 01:31
Home
Messages
Tests
Schools
Events
Close
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.

Customized
for You

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History

Track
Your Progress

every week, we’ll send you an estimated GMAT score based on your performance

Practice
Pays

we will pick new questions that match your level based on your Timer History
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Go to My Error Log Learn more
Close
Request Expert Reply
Confirm Cancel
Back to Forum
Create Topic
User avatar
Bunuel
User avatar
Math Expert
Joined: 02 Sep 2009
Last visit: 29 Apr 2026
Posts: 109,963
Own Kudos:
811,863
 [14]
Given Kudos: 105,936
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
Expert
Expert reply
Active GMAT Club Expert! Tag them with @ followed by their username for a faster response.
Posts: 109,963
Kudos: 811,863
 [14]
Mr. Earl E. Bird gets up every day at 8:00 AM to go to work. If he dri 18 Mar 2019, 03:51
1
Kudos
Add Kudos
13
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
00:00
Start Timer
Pause Timer
Resume Timer
Show Answer
Hide
Show
History
B
Be sure to select an answer first to save it in the Error Log before revealing the correct answer (OA)!

Difficulty:

45% (medium)

Question Stats:

73% (02:50) correct 27% (02:26) wrong based on 316 sessions

History

Date
Time
Result
Not Attempted Yet
Mr. Earl E. Bird gets up every day at 8:00 AM to go to work. If he drives at an average speed of 40 miles per hour, he will be late by 3 minutes. If he drives at an average speed of 60 miles per hour, he will be early by 3 minutes. How many miles per hour does Mr. Bird need to drive to get to work exactly on time?

(A) 45
(B) 48
(C) 50
(D) 55
(E) 58
ShowHide Answer
Official Answer
B
User avatar
Archit3110
User avatar
Major Poster
Joined: 18 Aug 2017
Last visit: 28 Apr 2026
Posts: 8,633
Own Kudos:
5,191
 [2]
Given Kudos: 243
Status:You learn more from failure than from success.
Location: India
Concentration: Sustainability, Marketing
GMAT Focus 1: 545 Q79 V79 DI73
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
GPA: 4
WE:Marketing (Energy)
Products:
GMAT Club Tests Forum Quiz
GMAT Focus 2: 645 Q83 V82 DI81
Posts: 8,633
Kudos: 5,191
 [2]
Mr. Earl E. Bird gets up every day at 8:00 AM to go to work. If he dri 18 Mar 2019, 04:00
Kudos
Add Kudos
2
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Mr. Earl E. Bird gets up every day at 8:00 AM to go to work. If he drives at an average speed of 40 miles per hour, he will be late by 3 minutes. If he drives at an average speed of 60 miles per hour, he will be early by 3 minutes. How many miles per hour does Mr. Bird need to drive to get to work exactly on time?

(A) 45
(B) 48
(C) 50
(D) 55
(E) 58
Show more

avg speed = 2*a*b/a+b
2*40*60 /100
IMO B 48
User avatar
GMATWhizTeam
User avatar
GMATWhiz Representative
Joined: 07 May 2019
Last visit: 28 Apr 2026
Posts: 3,374
Own Kudos:
2,195
 [4]
Given Kudos: 70
Location: India
GMAT 1: 740 Q50 V41
GMAT 2: 760 Q51 V40
Expert
Expert reply
GMAT 2: 760 Q51 V40
Posts: 3,374
Kudos: 2,195
 [4]
Mr. Earl E. Bird gets up every day at 8:00 AM to go to work. If he dri 06 Apr 2020, 03:54
3
Kudos
Add Kudos
1
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Bunuel
Mr. Earl E. Bird gets up every day at 8:00 AM to go to work. If he drives at an average speed of 40 miles per hour, he will be late by 3 minutes. If he drives at an average speed of 60 miles per hour, he will be early by 3 minutes. How many miles per hour does Mr. Bird need to drive to get to work exactly on time?

(A) 45
(B) 48
(C) 50
(D) 55
(E) 58
Show more

Solution:


Let x and t be the distance between home and office, and usual time of Mr. Bird, respectively.
    • We know that distance well remain same
      o \(Distance = Speed*time\)
         Distance = \(40*(t + 3)\)…(i)
         Distance = \(60*(t - 3)\)…(ii)
    • By equating the above equation, since Distance is same.
      o \(40*(t+3) = 60*(t-3)\)
      o \(2*(t+3) = 3*(t-3)\)
      o \(2t + 6 = 3t – 9\)
      o \(6+9 = 3t – 2t\)
      o \(15 = t\)
    • Distance = \(40(15 +3) = 40*18 = 720\) miles
    • Required speed = \(\frac{720}{15} =48\) Miles per hour
Hence, the correct answer is Option B.

Alternative method


We can also find the answer by using the concept of average speed.
    • We can use average speed because the when speed is 40 time is t + 3 and when speed is 60 time is t - 3, it means they are equidistant from t on the number line
    • If a and b be the speed while going and returning back through the same path
      o Then average speed = \(2a*b(a + b)\) [Note: average speed will not be arithmetic mean of the speeds]
         Required speed = \(\frac{2*40*60}{100} = 48\) miles per hour
Hence, the correct answer is Option B.
User avatar
luisdicampo
User avatar
Joined: 10 Feb 2025
Last visit: 28 Apr 2026
Posts: 480
Own Kudos:
76
Given Kudos: 328
Products:
My Reviews Forum Quiz
Posts: 480
Kudos: 76
Mr. Earl E. Bird gets up every day at 8:00 AM to go to work. If he dri 08 Jan 2026, 08:14
Kudos
Add Kudos
Bookmarks
Bookmark this Post
Deconstructing the Question
Let \(D\) be the distance to work.
Let \(T\) be the exact time needed to arrive on time.

Scenario 1: Speed = 40 mph. Arrives 3 mins late (\(T + 3\) min).
Scenario 2: Speed = 60 mph. Arrives 3 mins early (\(T - 3\) min).

The difference in travel time between the two speeds is:
\(\Delta t = (T + 3) - (T - 3) = 6\) minutes = \(\frac{1}{10}\) hours.

Step 1: Set up the Distance Equation
Time = Distance / Speed.
\(t_{slow} - t_{fast} = \frac{1}{10}\)
\(\frac{D}{40} - \frac{D}{60} = \frac{1}{10}\)

Multiply by 120 (LCM of 40 and 60) to clear denominators:
\(3D - 2D = 12\)
\(D = 12\) miles.

Step 2: Find the Correct Time
Using the 40 mph scenario:
Time taken = \(\frac{12}{40} = \frac{3}{10}\) hours = 18 minutes.
Since he is 3 minutes late, the required time is:
\(T_{target} = 18 - 3 = 15\) minutes = \(\frac{1}{4}\) hours.

Step 3: Calculate Required Speed
\(Speed = \frac{Distance}{Time}\)
\(Speed = \frac{12}{1/4} = 48\) mph.

Answer: B
Moderators:
Bunuel
Math Expert
109963 posts
Krunaal
Tuck School Moderator
852 posts