Final answer:
None of the provided options is correct for the distance a car traveling at 85.0 mph would cover in 20.0 minutes when converted to dekameters. The correct calculation shows the car would travel approximately 4,538.4 dam in that time period.
Step-by-step explanation:
The police went on a wild chase to catch a man speeding through town in a black pick-up truck. At their speeds, they exceeded 85.0 mph. To calculate how many dekameters (dam) the car would go in 20.0 minutes, we first need to convert the speed from miles per hour to meters per second, and then calculate the distance traveled.
First, convert 85.0 mph to meters per second (m/s):
85.0 mph = 85.0 miles/1 hour × 1,609.34 meters/1 mile × 1 hour/3,600 seconds ≈ 37.82 m/s.
Now, convert 20.0 minutes to seconds: 20.0 minutes × 60 seconds/1 minute = 1,200 seconds.
Then, calculate the distance traveled in meters: Distance = Speed × Time = 37.82 m/s × 1,200 seconds = 45,384 meters.
Finally, convert the distance from meters to dekameters: 45,384 meters × 1 dam/10 meters = 4,538.4 dam.
Thus, the correct answer is none of the provided options (a) 14.17 dam, (b) 25.5 dam, (c) 28.5 dam, or (d) 34.0 dam.