Three Horse Race Course Length

CAT 2019 Slot 1 · Quantitative Ability · Easy · Races

In a race of three horses, the first beat the second by 11 metres and the third by 90 metres. If the second beat the third by 80 metres, what was the length, in metres, of the racecourse?

Answer

880

Explanation

Let racecourse length be LL. When 1st finishes (LL), 2nd covers L−11L-11 and 3rd covers L−90L-90. Ratio of speeds of 2nd and 3rd =L−11L−90= \frac{L-11}{L-90}. When 2nd finishes (LL), 3rd covers L−80L-80, so ratio =LL−80= \frac{L}{L-80}. L−11L−90=LL−80  ⟹  (L−11)(L−80)=L(L−90)  ⟹  L2−91L+880=L2−90L  ⟹  L=880 m\frac{L-11}{L-90} = \frac{L}{L-80} \implies (L-11)(L-80) = L(L-90) \implies L^2 - 91L + 880 = L^2 - 90L \implies L = 880\text{ m}.

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