Patrons line up to spin the giant slot machine at the entrance to Ace Rothstein's Tangiers casino. They pour in the door at the rate of 300 per hour and it takes exactly ten seconds every time for the wheels to spin and inform the unlucky patron that they have lost a dollar rather than win a new Corvette. How many customers are in line on average?
A)2.08 customers
B)1.93 customers
C)1.67 customers
D)1.50 customers

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The average number of customers in line is equal to the rate at which they arrive multiplied by the average time they spend in line. In this case, the rate at which customers arrive is 300 per hour, and the average time they spend in line is 10 seconds. Therefore, the average number of customers in line is 300 * 10 / 3600 = 2.08 customers.

Patrons Line Up to Spin the Giant Slot Machine at the Entrance