Her time for the first lap is 50 seconds Her time for the second lap is 50 seconds + 20% of 50 seconds = 50 + 0.2×50 = 50 + 10 = 60 seconds. Her time for the third lap is 60 seconds + 20% of 60 seconds = 60 + 0.2×60 = 60 + 12 = 72 seconds. Total time = 50 sec + 60 sec + 72 sec = 182 seconds = 3 minutes 2 seconds. ----------------------- Easier and quicker way, but a tiny bit more advanced: Think of "20% longer" as "120% of", so multiply by 1.2 each time 50+50×1.2+50×1.2×1.2 = 182 seconds = 3 minutes 2 seconds. If you have a scientific calculator, you can put in 50+50×1.2+50×1.2×1.2 in all at one time and press = or "enter". Edwin