document.write( "Question 936492: Runners running on a curved track starting point are staggered. This is so each runner runs the same distance to the finish line. If the radius of the inside is x and each lane is 2.5 feet wide, how far apart should the officials start the runners in the two inside lanes? \n" ); document.write( "

Algebra.Com's Answer #570079 by Fombitz(32388) $\"\"$ $\"About$

You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Let's look at the distance once around.
\n" ); document.write( "For the inside radius, x, the circumference would be,
\n" ); document.write( " $\"C%5Bx%5D=2pi%2Ax\"$
\n" ); document.write( "For the next lane at radius, x+2.5, the circumference would be,
\n" ); document.write( " $\"C=2pi%2A%28x%2B2.5%29=2pix%2B5pi=C%5Bx%5D%2B5pi\"$
\n" ); document.write( "So the next lane would run an additional 5 pi to get to the same point.
\n" ); document.write( "So if you stagger the inside runner back $\"5pi\"$ feet, they would run the same distance.
\n" ); document.write( "So every lane would be staggered $\"5pi\"$ feet from the lanes around it, clockwise going inwards, counterclockwise going outwards (assuming the race is counterclockwise).
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