ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)Medium

A reconnaissance team covers 2.5 miles in 30 minutes. If they maintain this pace, how long will it take them to cover 10 miles?

  1. A2 hours
  2. B2 hours 30 minutes
  3. C1 hour 30 minutes
  4. D3 hours
Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A. 2 hours

This is a direct proportion problem. If they cover 2.5 miles in 30 minutes, to cover 10 miles (which is 4 times 2.5 miles), it will take 4 times 30 minutes. 4 * 30 minutes = 120 minutes, which is 2 hours.

Why the other options are wrong

  • B. This would be the time for 12.5 miles.
  • C. This would be the time for 7.5 miles.
  • D. This would be the time for 15 miles.

Direct Proportion

A relationship between two quantities where an increase in one quantity results in a proportional increase in the other, and vice versa.

  • Often expressed as Y = kX, where k is the constant of proportionality.
  • If X and Y are directly proportional, X1/Y1 = X2/Y2.
  • Used when quantities increase or decrease together at a constant ratio.

Memory trick: Same Pace, Same Ratio: More distance means more time, proportionally.

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