Question

During the gas crisis of the 1970s, the posted highway speed limit was dropped to 55 mph across the country. By the 1990s, many stretches of the highway had put the posted speed limit back to 65 mph. In Maine, the distance from Portland to Bangor is 133 miles. How much time can be saved in traveling from Portland to Bangor at this higher speed?

a) 10 minutes
b) 15 minutes
c) 20 minutes
d) 25 minutes

Answer 1

The time saved in traveling from Portland to Bangor at a higher speed can be calculated by subtracting the time it would take at the higher speed limit from the time it would take at the lower speed limit.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the time saved in traveling from Portland to Bangor at a higher speed, we need to know the difference in time between the two-speed limits. The distance from Portland to Bangor is 133 miles. At a speed limit of 55 mph, it would take approximately 2.42 hours to travel this distance. At a speed limit of 65 mph, it would take approximately 2.05 hours to travel this distance. To calculate the time saved, we subtract the time it would take at the higher speed limit from the time it would take at the lower speed limit. 2.42 hours - 2.05 hours = 0.37 hours, which is equivalent to 22.2 minutes. Therefore, the correct answer is b) 15 minutes.