Question:medium

Two runners, Ajay and Vijay complete a 600 m race in 38 seconds and 48 seconds respectively. By how many meters will Ajay defeat Vijay?

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In "defeat by distance" race problems, the key is to freeze the moment the winner crosses the finish line and calculate the position of the other runner at that exact time. The difference in their positions is the answer.
Updated On: Mar 27, 2026
  • 120 m
  • 140 m
  • 125 m
  • 50 m
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Conceptual Understanding:
The statement "Ajay defeats Vijay by X meters" signifies that upon Ajay completing the race, Vijay is X meters behind the finish line. To determine this deficit, one must calculate Vijay's traveled distance during the time Ajay took to finish.

Step 2: Methodology:
1. Ascertain the speed of the slower participant (Vijay).
\[ \text{Speed} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}} \]
2. Calculate the distance Vijay covered within the timeframe of the faster participant's (Ajay) completion.
\[ \text{Distance} = \text{Speed} \times \text{Time} \]
3. Compute the disparity between the total race distance and the distance covered by Vijay.
\[ \text{Defeat Margin} = \text{Total Distance} - \text{Distance covered by loser} \]

Step 3: Detailed Calculation:
Given data:
Race distance = 600 m.
Ajay's completion time = 38 seconds.
Vijay's completion time = 48 seconds.

First, calculate Vijay's speed:
\[ \text{Speed}_{\text{Vijay}} = \frac{\text{Total Distance}}{\text{Time}_{\text{Vijay}}} = \frac{600 \text{ m}}{48 \text{ s}} \]
\[ \text{Speed}_{\text{Vijay}} = 12.5 \text{ m/s} \]
Next, determine Vijay's position at the moment Ajay finishes (t = 38 seconds).
Calculate the distance Vijay covers in 38 seconds:
\[ \text{Distance}_{\text{Vijay in 38s}} = \text{Speed}_{\text{Vijay}} \times \text{Time}_{\text{Ajay}} \]
\[ \text{Distance}_{\text{Vijay in 38s}} = 12.5 \text{ m/s} \times 38 \text{ s} \]
\[ \text{Distance}_{\text{Vijay in 38s}} = 475 \text{ m} \]
This indicates that when Ajay reaches the 600 m mark, Vijay is at the 475 m mark.
The margin of Ajay's victory is calculated as:
\[ \text{Defeat Margin} = 600 \text{ m} - 475 \text{ m} = 125 \text{ m} \]

Step 4: Conclusion:
Ajay defeats Vijay by 125 meters.
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