Problem 7 · 2025 Math Kangaroo
Medium
Logic & Word Problems
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Six children were running a race. Ariadne finished third. Bill finished sixth, just behind Ernest. Fatima finished between Ariadne and Ernest. Diana overtook Charles just before the finish line. Who won the race?
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Answer: C — Diana
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Hint 1 of 2
Pin down the fixed finishing places first (Ariadne is 3rd).
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Hint 2 of 2
Use ‘just behind’ and ‘between’ to place Ernest and Fatima, then the last two spots go to Diana and Charles.
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Approach: fill in the finishing order from the clues
- Ariadne is 3rd. Bill is 6th just behind Ernest, so Ernest is 5th.
- Fatima finishes between Ariadne (3rd) and Ernest (5th), so Fatima is 4th.
- Only places 1 and 2 are left for Diana and Charles, and Diana overtook Charles at the end.
- So Diana is 1st — Diana won.
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