Question

Cody hiked at an average speed of 1 mile per hour for 5 hours on Saturday. He hiked an average speed of 2 miles per hour for 3 hours on Sunday.

Which explanation correctly tells how to calculate the total number of miles that Cody hiked in two days?

A.Step 1: Multiply 1 × 5.
Step 2: Multiply 2 × 3.
Step 3: Add the two products.

B.Step 1: Multiply 1 × 5.
Step 2: Multiply 2 × 3.
Step 3: Subtract the two products.


C.Step 1: Divide 1 ÷ 5.
Step 2: Divide 2 ÷ 3.
Step 3: Add the two quotients.

D.Step 1: Divide 1 ÷ 5.
Step 2: Divide 2 ÷ 3.
Step 3: Subtract the two quotients.

Answer 1

A. Step 1: Multiply 1 × 5.

Step 2: Multiply 2 × 3.

Step 3: Add the two products.

Explanation:

The total number of miles hiked will be the sum of the numbers of miles hiked each day. Each day, the number of miles hiked can be computed by multiplying time by speed:

distance = speed × time

So, the total number of miles hiked is ...

total miles = miles on day 1 + miles on day 2 . . . . . (sum, not a difference—eliminates choice B)

total miles = (speed on day 1)×(time on day 1) + (speed on day 2)×(time on day 2) . . . . . (sum of products—eliminates choices C and D)

Choice A correctly describes the computation.