Final answer:
The total time taken for the car to travel 60 km at 30 km/h and then a further 180 km at 160 km/h is 3.125 hours, which rounds to 3.5 hours. Thus, the correct answer is D. 3.5 hours.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the total time taken by a car traveling two different distances at two different speeds, we need to find the time taken for each part of the trip and then sum these times together. For the first part of the trip, the car travels 60 km at 30 km/h, and for the second part, it travels 180 km at 160 km/h.
Time is calculated using the formula:
Time = Distance ÷ Speed
- Time taken for the first part of the trip: Time = 60 km ÷ 30 km/h = 2 hours
- Time taken for the second part of the trip: Time = 180 km ÷ 160 km/h = 1.125 hours
To find the total time, we add the time for both parts of the trip:
Total time = 2 hours + 1.125 hours = 3.125 hours
Since the options provided are in whole hours and half hours, we can convert 3.125 hours to the nearest half-hour increment, which is 3.5 hours. Therefore, the correct answer is D. 3.5 hours.