Answered

David, Ping, Mandy, and Alan are each studying one of the animals shown in the table for a science project.

\begin{tabular}{|l|l|l|l|}
\hline
\multicolumn{3}{|c|}{ Animal Study Project } \\
\hline
\multicolumn{1}{|c|}{ Animal } & \multicolumn{1}{|c|}{ Speed } & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{ Type } & \multicolumn{1}{c|}{ Habitat } \\
\hline
Elephant & [tex]$25 \text{ mph}$[/tex] (running) & Mammal & Grasslands \\
\hline
Sailfish & [tex]$68 \text{ mph}$[/tex] (swimming) & Fish & Oceans \\
\hline
Giraffe & [tex]$32 \text{ mph}$[/tex] (running) & Mammal & Grasslands \\
\hline
Dolphin & [tex]$30 \text{ mph}$[/tex] (swimming) & Mammal & Oceans \\
\hline
\end{tabular}

David is studying a mammal, but Ping is not. The animal that Mandy is studying can be found in the ocean. The animal that Alan is studying is slower than the animal that David is studying.

Which animal is Alan studying?



Answer :

GinnyAnswer
Let's solve the problem step-by-step.

### Step 1: Identify the animals each person cannot study
1. David is studying a mammal
- Mammals: Elephant, Giraffe, Dolphin
2. Ping is not studying a mammal
- Non-mammals: Sailfish

3. Mandy's animal can be found in the ocean
- Ocean animals: Sailfish, Dolphin

4. Alan's animal is slower than the one David is studying

### Step 2: Narrow down options for Mandy and David
1. Mandy can study Sailfish or Dolphin (both are ocean animals)
2. Let’s consider two cases:
- Case 1: Mandy studies Sailfish
- Case 2: Mandy studies Dolphin

#### Case 1: Mandy studies Sailfish
If Mandy studies Sailfish:
- David must study a mammal: Elephant, Giraffe, Dolphin
- Alan’s animal must be slower than David’s animal:
- Elephant: 25 mph
- Giraffe: 32 mph
- Dolphin: 30 mph

To satisfy Alan’s condition, both Dolphin and Giraffe are faster than at least one mammal:
- If David studies Dolphin (30 mph), only Elephant (25 mph) is slower
- If David studies Giraffe (32 mph), only Elephant again is slower

Therefore, David studies Dolphin and Alan studies Elephant.

#### Case 2: Mandy studies Dolphin
If Mandy studies Dolphin:
- David’s remaining mammals: Elephant, Giraffe
- Alan’s animal must be slower than David’s animal:
- David studying Elephant (25 mph): No animal slower
- David studying Giraffe (32 mph): Elephant (25 mph) is slower

- If David studies Giraffe (32 mph), Alan must study Elephant (25 mph)

Thus, this case also leads to Alan studying Elephant.

### Step 3: Final answer
From the analysis of both cases, the only consistent solution is that Alan is studying the Elephant.

So, Alan is studying:
- Animal: Elephant
- Speed: 25 mph