Question

The track team is trying to reduce their time for a relay race. First they reduce their time by 8 seconds. Then they are able to reduce that time by 25%. If their final time is 51 seconds, what was their beginning time?
Choose the tape diagram that represents the number of seconds in their second time.

x
Time 1

Time 2
x −8

x
Time 1

Time 2
8
x
Excellent!
Choose the tape diagram that represents their final time.

x
Time 1

Time 2
x −8
Time 3
51

x
Time 1

Time 2
x −8
Time 3
51
Good work!
Write an equation in words to represent this situation.
x
Time 1

Time 2
x −8
Time 3
51

125% of Time 2 = Time 3

50% of Time 2 = Time 3

25% of Time 2 = Time 3

75% of Time 2 = Time 3

Answers

GPT-4o mini
To determine the original time of the relay race, we can set up the scenario step-by-step.

1. **Starting with the original time, x.**
2. **After the first reduction, the time becomes x - 8 seconds.**
3. **They then reduce this new time (x - 8) by 25%.** To calculate this, we can express the final time (Time 3) after this reduction mathematically.

When the time is reduced by 25%, that means the team keeps 75% of the original reduced time. Therefore, the equation can be expressed as:

\[
\text{Final Time} = \text{Time 2} \times 0.75
\]
or,
\[
51 = (x - 8) \times 0.75
\]

Now, let's express Time 2 (x - 8) in terms of Time 3:
\[
\text{Time 3} = \frac{3}{4} \times \text{Time 2}
\]

Thus, we can write:
\[
51 = 0.75 \times (x - 8)
\]

### Finding the Equation

So, we can respond to your last choice about writing an equation in words:

A correct representation would be:
**75% of Time 2 = Time 3**

Now, to solve for x, we continue:
1. Multiply both sides by 4 to eliminate the fraction:
\[
4 \times 51 = 3(x - 8)
\]
\[
204 = 3(x - 8)
\]

2. Distribute the 3:
\[
204 = 3x - 24
\]

3. Add 24 to both sides:
\[
204 + 24 = 3x
\]
\[
228 = 3x
\]

4. Divide by 3:
\[
x = 76
\]

Thus, the original time (Time 1) was **76 seconds**.

### Summary of Diagrams
- The tape diagram representing the second time is:
- \( x \) as Time 1
- \( x - 8 \) as Time 2

- The tape diagram representing the final time is:
- \( x \) as Time 1
- \( x - 8 \) as Time 2
- \( 51 \) as Time 3

And the equation in words representing this situation is:
**75% of Time 2 = Time 3**.