Question

Taffy, the rubber duck and Oswald, the floating tortoise enter a swimming competition. Taffy wades through the tub in 25.67 seconds whereas Oswald does so in 21.22 seconds. Who is faster and by how many seconds?

• A. Taffy won the race by 25.67 seconds.
• B. Oswald won the race by 21.22 seconds.
• C. Taffy won the race by 4.45 seconds.
• D. Oswald won the race by 4.45 seconds.

Answer 1

The correct option is D Oswald won the race by 4.45 seconds.

The athlete who covers the distance in the shortest amount of time is the fastest.
Comparing the time required by aligning the decimal point,

$25.67$
$21.22$

During comparison, we start with the digit at the extreme left.

$\underset{–}{2}5.67$
$\underset{–}{2}1.22$
When we compare the tens place digit, we find that they are identical. We move to one place right.

$2\underset{–}{5}.67$
$2\underset{–}{1}.22$
Comparing the units place digit, we find that 5>1.
Hence, 25.67 is larger than 21.22.

As Oswald took less time, he is the winner.

To determine by how many seconds Oswald won the race, subtract Oswald's time from Taffy's. $\Rightarrow 25.67-21.22$

As a result, Oswald won the race by 4.45 seconds.