To analyze the snail's performance in the race, we can calculate its speed. The distance traveled by the snail is \(1 \frac{1}{6}\) inches, and this is equivalent to:
\[ 1 \frac{1}{6} = 1 + \frac{1}{6} = \frac{6}{6} + \frac{1}{6} = \frac{7}{6} \text{ inches} \]
The time taken is 2 minutes. To find the speed in inches per minute, we can use the formula:
\[ \text{Speed} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}} \]
Substituting the values we have:
\[ \text{Speed} = \frac{\frac{7}{6} \text{ inches}}{2 \text{ minutes}} = \frac{7}{6} \div 2 = \frac{7}{6} \times \frac{1}{2} = \frac{7}{12} \text{ inches per minute} \]
Thus, the snail's speed was \(\frac{7}{12}\) inches per minute.