Problem 12 · 2016 Math Kangaroo
Medium
Logic & Word Problems
path-tracing
Five squirrels A, B, C, D and E are sitting on the marked points. The crosses show 6 nuts that they are collecting. The squirrels start to run at the same time with the same speed to the nearest nut to pick it up. As soon as a squirrel has picked up its first nut it immediately runs on to get another nut. Which squirrel gets a second nut?
Show answer
Answer: C — C
Show hints
Hint 1 of 2
Each squirrel runs to its nearest nut first; mark which nut each one claims.
Still stuck? Show hint 2 →
Hint 2 of 2
After the first round, whichever squirrel is closest to a still-uncollected nut grabs the next one.
Show solution
Approach: assign nearest nuts, then see who reaches the leftover nut soonest
- First each squirrel runs to its closest cross (nut); with 6 nuts and 5 squirrels, exactly one nut is still free after this first round.
- Whoever finishes its first trip earliest and is closest to that leftover nut grabs it; comparing the distances, squirrel C reaches the leftover nut first.
- So the squirrel that gets a second nut is C, choice (C).
Mark:
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