SOLUTION: A mouse is at the bottom of a 10-foot-tall clock. Every hour he climbs up 3 feet. But when the clock strikes at the hour, he falls back 1 foot. If the mouse starts climbing at 8 a.

Algebra ->  Customizable Word Problem Solvers  -> Misc -> SOLUTION: A mouse is at the bottom of a 10-foot-tall clock. Every hour he climbs up 3 feet. But when the clock strikes at the hour, he falls back 1 foot. If the mouse starts climbing at 8 a.      Log On

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Question 510317: A mouse is at the bottom of a 10-foot-tall clock. Every hour he climbs up 3 feet. But when the clock strikes at the hour, he falls back 1 foot. If the mouse starts climbing at 8 a.m., at what time to the nearest minute will it reach the top of the clock?
Answer by Maths68(1474) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Mouse travels = 3feet/hour
(He slips down 1 foot when the clock strikest at the hour - It means his actual speed is 2feet/hour )
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By the speed of 2feet/hour he will complete 8feet in 4 hours,
Now he has to climb 2 feet his original speed is 3 feet/hour he can climb two remaining feet before 5th hour is completed.
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3 feet in 1 hours
1 feet in 1/3 hour
2 feet in 2*(1/3) hour or 2/3 hour
2/3 of an hour = 2/3 * 60 minutes
2/3 of an hour = 40 minutes
He will complete 2 feet in 40 minutes
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8 feet in 4 hours
2 feet in 40 minutes
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10 feet in 4 hours & 40 minutes
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Conclusion
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Mouse will complete 8 feet in 4 hours and rest of 2 feet in 40 minutes . He will reach at the top of the clock at 12:40pm