MATH STINGER #80 
by Dr. Joel C. Fowler 
Associate Professor of Mathematics 

The puzzle for this issue involves three travelers A, B, and C who leave from the same place 
at the same time for the same destination 9 miles away. Each can walk at 5 mph but they 
also have available a bike that can travel at 15 mph and a skateboard that can travel at 
9 mph. The bike and skateboard can only hold one person but can be used by 
different people at different times by being left by the side of the road to be 
picked up and used by someone later. All three arrive at the destination 
together at 3:00 having gotten there as quickly as possible. The puzzle 
is to determine what time they left and how they got there (i.e. 
what modes of transportation were used at what times).

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