Minus' Solution to

The Postie's Pace
Posted September 15 - 21, 1997

If Camelia rested 6 minutes every hour, her rate would be 3.2 miles/hour. If she rested 7 minutes every hour, her rate would be 3.4 miles/hour.
8 minutes every hour, 3.6 mi/hr.
9 minutes every hour, 3.8 mi/hr.

At the rate of 4 miles/hour for 50 minutes, Camelia would travel 4(5/6)= 3 1/3 miles.
At the rate of 3 miles/hour for 55 minutes, Camelia would travel 3(55/60) = 2.75 miles.
At the rate of 3.8 mi/hr for 51 minutes, Camelia would travel 3.8(51/60) = 3.23 miles.

The best results occur from travelling at 4 miles/hour and resting for 10 minutes at the top of the hour.

Camelia starts by walking 30 minutes until 3:00, and gets 2 miles in. She rests for 10 minutes until 3:10. She walks 50 minutes, and gets 3 1/3 miles into her route. She rests for another ten minutes until 4:10. She walks another 50 minutes, and gets 3 1/3 miles in. She rests for another ten minutes until 5:10. Now she's travelled 8 2/3 miles.

At the rate of 4 miles/hour, it will take her another 20 minutes to cover the last 1 1/3 miles, which means she arrives at her destination at 5:30 p.m. Whew! What a day for Camelia.

This week's challenge wasn't for the faint of heart. It required real determination and a patience for lengthy answers. Only savvy chefs, who know what they're doing, need apply.

Two teams of fifth grade girls met Minus' challenge this week. They cooked up a real storm and the result was the most delightful of taste-bud, tingling dishes. Accolades go out to Amy and Tracy of Team One, and Diane and Lindsay of Team Two. Now, that's real girl power!

Assuming that Camelia rests at the top of the hour, meaning at 3:00, 4:00, and 5:00, we found that if she rests for 10 minutes at each of these hours, Camelia will be able to complete her route of 10 miles by 5:30.

Here is our work:
2:30-3:40 (this includes a 10 minute break at 3:00-Camelia walked 4 miles
3:40-4:50 (this includes a ten minute break at 4:00)- Camelia walked another 4 miles.
She needs only 2 more miles to complete her route. If she can walk 4 miles in one hour, then she can walk 2 miles in 30 minutes. So, 4:50-5:30(this includes a 10 minute break, Camelia walks her final 2 miles. Therefore, she finished her route in exactly 3 hours!