After 56 minutes, the second runner has traveled 56 / 7 = 8 miles. Similarly, the first runner has traveled 56 / 8 = 7 miles. Therefore, the two runners are 8 - 7 = 1 mile apart when the second runner stops. Thus, the second runner can stop for a maximum of 8 minutes, which is the amount of time it takes the first runner to travel 1 mile.
The answer: 8
Reverse engineering the question: Two runners are competing in a 10-mile race. The first runs at an average pace of 8 minutes per mile, while the second runs at an average pace of 7 minutes per mile. After 56 minutes, the second runner stops for a drink of water. For how many minutes could the second runner remain stopped before the first runner catches up with him?


Reasoning and answer: If the rabbit food costs $12 a week, then the parrot food costs $30 - $12 = $18 a week. Julia has the parrot for 3 weeks, so she spent 3 weeks * $18 / week = $54 on her. The rabbit is her only for 5 weeks, so she spent 5 weeks * $12 / week = $60 on him. In total, Julia spent $54 + $60 = $114 on food for her animals.
The answer: 114
What was the question?
Question: Julia has a parrot and a rabbit. She buys food for both of the animals for $30 in total a week. Julia has the rabbit for 5 weeks, and the parrot for 3 weeks. How much money did Julia already spend on food for her animals, if the weekly cost of the rabbit food is $12?


The first value drop of the lawnmower was 25 / 100 * 100 = $25. So the lawnmower was worth 100 - 25 = $75. Over the next year, the value dropped another 20%, which is 20 / 100 * 75 = $15. So after all this time, Ben's lawnmower is worth 75 - 15 = $60.
The answer: 60
Reverse engineering the question: Ben bought a lawnmower for his garden. He paid $100 for it. After six months, the value of the mower dropped by about 25%. Over the next year, the value of the mower dropped another 20% in value. How much is Ben's lawnmower worth after this time?


Reasoning and answer: The two coloring books amount to 2 x $4 = $8. The 4 packs of peanuts amount to 4 x $1.50 = $6. The total cost for the coloring books and peanuts is $8 + $6 = $14. Thus, the stuffed animal cost $25 - $14 = $11.
The answer: 11
What was the question?
Question: Linda bought two coloring books at $4 each, 4 packs of peanuts at $1.50 each pack, and one stuffed animal. She gave the cashier $25 and got no change. How much does a stuffed animal cost?


Let's say Sabrina has p number of pencils. If Justin has 8 more than twice as many pencils as Sabrina, he has 2 * p + 8 = 2p + 8. Together, Justin and Sabrina has p + (2p + 8) = 50. This is equal to 3p = 50 - 8. 3p = 42. The number of pencils that Sabrina has is p = 42 / 3. Sabrina has p = 14 pencils.
The answer: 14
Reverse engineering the question: Justin and Sabrina at Pine Grove Elementary have 50 pencils combined. Justin has 8 more than twice as many pencils as Sabrina. How many pencils does Sabrina have?


The rectangular tables seat 7 * 10 = 70 pupils. The square tables will seat 90 - 70 = 20 pupils. The library needs 20 / 4 = 5 square tables.
The answer: 5
Reverse engineering the question:
A library has 7 rectangular tables and the remaining tables will be square tables. A rectangular table seats 10 pupils while a square table seats 4 pupils. How many square tables are needed so that 90 pupils can read at the same time?