Two candles, one of which was 2 cm longer than the other were lit for Halloween.
The longer and thinner one was lit at 4 P.M. and the shorter but fatter one 15 minutes later.
Each candle burned at a steady rate, and by 8 P.M. both were the same length. The thinner one finally burned out at midnight and the fatter one an hour later.
How long was each candle originally?
The long thin one lasted 8 hours.
The short fatter one lasted 8.75 hours.
When the long one was half its original length, the shorter one was 3.75/8.75 = 3/7 burnt away, leaving 4/7 of its original length, and both these lengths are said to be equal:
If x is the shorter candle's original length,
(x+2)/2 = 4*x/7
x = 14
The two candles are 14 and 16 cm long.
|
|
Posted by Charlie
on 2024-01-02 08:57:01 |
solution
