To determine who will win based on the criteria of having both cars at the finish line at the same time, we need to find the least common multiple (LCM) of the lap times for both sets of cars. The person whose cars meet at the finish line more frequently within a given period will be the winner.
### Simon's Cars:
- First car lap time: 32 seconds
- Second car lap time: 21 seconds
To find the LCM of 32 and 21:
1. Prime factorization:
- 32 = 2^5
- 21 = 3 \times 7
2. LCM is the product of the highest powers of all primes present:
\text{LCM}(32, 21) = 2^5 \times 3^1 \times 7^1 = 32 \times 3 \times 7 = 32 \times 21 = 672 \text{ seconds}
### Carlos's Cars:
- First car lap time: 36 seconds
- Second car lap time: 42 seconds
To find the LCM of 36 and 42:
1. Prime factorization:
- 36 = 2^2 \times 3^2
- 42 = 2^1 \times 3^1 \times 7^1
2. LCM is the product of the highest powers of all primes present:
\text{LCM}(36, 42) = 2^2 \times 3^2 \times 7^1 = 4 \times 9 \times 7 = 252 \text{ seconds}
### Comparison:
- Simon's cars will both be at the finish line together every 672 seconds.
- Carlos's cars will both be at the finish line together every 252 seconds.
Since 252 seconds is less than 672 seconds, Carlos's cars will meet at the finish line together more frequently.
### Conclusion:
Carlos will win, as his cars complete laps together every 252 seconds, which is more frequent than Simon's cars completing laps together every 672 seconds.