Question

Alina is able to swim at a rate of about 2.5 miles per hour. Talia is able to swim at a rate of 1.8 meters per second. Which statement comparing the two swimmers is accurate?

1 mile 1,609 meters

Answer 1

1 mile = 1,609 meters is the key to converting the rates of the two swimmers

Explanation:

there are 60 seconds in a minute and 60 minutes in an hour

so 1.8 meters/sec x 60 sec/min x 60 min/hr = 6480 meters/hr

now we convert meters to miles

6480 meters/1 hr x 1 mile/1609 meters = roughly 4 miles/hr (4.027)

or we can convert the other rate to meters/sec

2.5 mi/hr x 1hr/60 min x 1min/60 sec = 0.00069444 mi/sec

then convert miles to meters

0.00069444 mi/sec x 1609meters/ 1mi = roughly 1.1 meters/sec (1.117)

Answer 2

Talia swims about 1.5 miles per hour faster than Alina.