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2015 Math Kangaroo

Problem 14

Problem 14 · 2015 Math Kangaroo Medium
Arithmetic & Operations off-by-one

11 flags are placed alongside a straight race course. The first flag is at the start, the last one at the finish. The distance between two flags is always 8 meters. How long is the race course?

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Answer: D — 80 meters
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Hint 1 of 2
The flags are like fence posts: 11 flags do not make 11 gaps.
Still stuck? Show hint 2 →
Hint 2 of 2
Count the gaps between the flags, then multiply by 8 meters.
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Approach: count the gaps (one fewer than the flags)
  1. With 11 flags in a row there are 11 - 1 = 10 gaps between them.
  2. Each gap is 8 meters, so the course is 10 x 8 = 80 meters.
  3. That is choice D.
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