1967 AMC 12 Problem 27

Attempt Problem 27 of the 1967 AMC 12 below, then check your answer against the professionally curated solution from LIVE by Po-Shen Loh. You can also try the full timed exam, view all 1967 AMC 12 solutions, or check the answer key.

All problems are used with official legal permission of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA).

27.

Two candles of the same length are made of different materials so that one burns out completely at a uniform rate in 33 hours and the other in 44 hours. At what time P.M. should the candles be lighted so that, at 44 P.M., one stub is twice the length of the other?
1:241{:}24
1:281{:}28
1:361{:}36
1:401{:}40
1:481{:}48
Answer: C
Concepts:ratelinear equationdate and time
Small hint:
Let tt be the number of hours the candles burn before 44 P.M.
Big hint:
Their remaining fractions are 1−t31-\frac{t}{3} and 1−t41-\frac{t}{4}
Solution:
After tt hours, the faster and slower candles have fractions 1−t31-\frac{t}{3} and 1−t41-\frac{t}{4} remaining. The slower stub must be twice the faster: 1−t4=2(1−t3). 1-\frac t4=2\left(1-\frac t3\right). Thus t=125=2t=\frac{12}{5}=2 hours 2424 minutes. Counting back from 44 P.M. gives 1:361{:}36 P.M.
Therefore, the correct answer is C.
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