Solution:The time interval when they will meet
next at the starting point is the LCM
(20, 30 and 35).
Thus, the prime factorisation of 20,
30 and 35 is20 = 2 × 2 × 5 = (2)² × (5)¹,
30 = 2 × 3 × 5 = (2)¹ × (3)¹ × (5)¹
and 35 = 5 × 7 = (5)¹ × (7)¹
LCM (20, 30, 35)
= (2)² × (3)¹ × (5)¹ × - (7)¹
= 12 × 35
= 420min
= (⁴²⁰⁄₆₀) h = 7h
Hence, all three runners will next
meet after 7 h at the starting point.