In 1926, Johnny Weissmuller set the men’s world 400.0-m swimming record in 4.00 min, 57.0 s. In 1966, Martha Randall set the women’s record in 4.00 min, 38.0 s. By how many meters would Martha have been beaten Johnny if they had raced each other?

Answer 1

Johnny:
T1 = 4 min,57s = 240+57 = 297 s.

Martha:
T2 = 4 min,38s = 240+38 = 278 s.
r2 = 400m/278s. = 1.439 m/s.

d = r2*(T1-T2) = 1.439(297-278)=27.3 m.