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505-555 (Easy)|   Algebra|      
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Bunuel
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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the Updated on: 18 Aug 2025, 05:11
Originally posted by Bunuel on 03 Jul 2015, 02:59.
Last edited by Bunuel on 18 Aug 2025, 05:11, edited 1 time in total.
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C
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15% (low)

Question Stats:

85% (01:44) correct 15% (02:05) wrong based on 204 sessions

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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the street below. The formula for the height, H, that a penny falls is \(H= Vt+ 5t^2\), where V/is the original velocity o f the penny (how fast Hugo throws it when it leaves his hand) and t is equal to the time it takes to hit the ground. The building is 60 meters high, and Hugo throws the penny down at an initial speed of 20 meters per second. How long does it take for the penny to hit the ground?

A. 2/5 seconds
B. 1 second
C. 2 seconds
D. 5 seconds
E. 6 seconds
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C
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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the 03 Jul 2015, 03:46
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Bunuel
Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the street below. The formula for the height, H, that a penny falls is \(H= Vt+ 5t^2\), where V/is the original velocity o f the penny (how fast Hugo throws it when it leaves his hand) and t is equal to the time it takes to hit the ground. The building is 60 meters high, and Hugo throws the penny down at an initial speed of 20 meters per second. How long does it take for the penny to hit the ground?

A. 2/5 seconds
B. 1 second
C. 2 seconds
D. 5 seconds
E. 6 seconds

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Solution -
Given that, H=60m, V=20m/s and t=?
Substitute above values in the given equation -> 60=20t+5t^2 -> t^2-2t+6t-12=0 -> (t-2)(t+6) =0

t = 2, -6. Time can not be in -ve value so ANS C.
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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the 03 Jul 2015, 10:05
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Plug each answer into the equation, \(60 = 20t + 5t^{2}\), and two is the only answer. This can be done all mentally, as well.

Answer C.

Thanks
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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the 03 Jul 2015, 11:21
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60 = 20t + 5t^2

Now dont solve quadrtic ... better just plug options .
Option C , t= 2 is correct
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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the 03 Jul 2015, 20:45
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Bunuel
Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the street below. The formula for the height, H, that a penny falls is \(H= Vt+ 5t^2\), where V/is the original velocity o f the penny (how fast Hugo throws it when it leaves his hand) and t is equal to the time it takes to hit the ground. The building is 60 meters high, and Hugo throws the penny down at an initial speed of 20 meters per second. How long does it take for the penny to hit the ground?

A. 2/5 seconds
B. 1 second
C. 2 seconds
D. 5 seconds
E. 6 seconds

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Given : \(H= Vt+ 5t^2 = t*(V+5t)\)

H = 60 m
V = 20 m/s

Checking Options

A. 2/5 seconds \(H= t*(V+5t) = (2/5)(20+5*2/5) = 44/5\) which is not equal to 60 so INCORRECT Option

B. 1 second \(H= t*(V+5t) = (1)(20+5*1) = 25\) which is not equal to 60 so INCORRECT Option

C. 2 seconds \(H= t*(V+5t) = (2)(20+5*2) = 60\) Since it matches the Given height H = 60 so CORRECT Option

D. 5 seconds
E. 6 seconds

Answer: Option C
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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the 03 Jul 2015, 20:55
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Bunuel
Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the street below. The formula for the height, H, that a penny falls is \(H= Vt+ 5t^2\), where V/is the original velocity o f the penny (how fast Hugo throws it when it leaves his hand) and t is equal to the time it takes to hit the ground. The building is 60 meters high, and Hugo throws the penny down at an initial speed of 20 meters per second. How long does it take for the penny to hit the ground?

A. 2/5 seconds
B. 1 second
C. 2 seconds
D. 5 seconds
E. 6 seconds

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the equation that is formed by putting values..
60=20t+5t^2..
here t has to be even integer so as to make 5t^2 a multiple of 10..
only C and E left..
Also t has to be <3 as otherwise RHS> 60 so E out
ans 2,
2 and 6 can be substituted too find the correct answer
ans C
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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the 04 Jul 2015, 09:15
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Option C correct
Placing H=60 and V=20

we get t=2,-6
2 is correct
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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the 06 Jul 2015, 04:56
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Bunuel
Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the street below. The formula for the height, H, that a penny falls is \(H= Vt+ 5t^2\), where V/is the original velocity o f the penny (how fast Hugo throws it when it leaves his hand) and t is equal to the time it takes to hit the ground. The building is 60 meters high, and Hugo throws the penny down at an initial speed of 20 meters per second. How long does it take for the penny to hit the ground?

A. 2/5 seconds
B. 1 second
C. 2 seconds
D. 5 seconds
E. 6 seconds

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MANHATTAN GMAT OFFICIAL SOLUTION:

H = Wt + 5t^2
60 = 20t+5t^2
5(t + 6)(t - 2) = 0

t = -6 or t = 2.

Since a time must be positive, discard the negative value for t.

Answer: C.
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Hugo lies on top of a building, throwing pennies straight down to the 24 Oct 2017, 05:57
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