Question

The time needed to travel a certain distance varies inversely with the rate of speed. If it takes 10 hours to travel a certain distance at 24 miles per hour, how long will it take to travel the same distance at 54 miles per hour?

Answer 1

We can use the formula for inverse variation, which states that the product of the time and the speed is constant:

time × speed = constant

Let's use t to represent the time needed to travel the distance at 54 miles per hour. We know that the time is 10 hours when the speed is 24 miles per hour. So we can set up the equation:

10 × 24 = t × 54

Simplifying, we get:

240 = 54t

Dividing both sides by 54, we get:

t = 240/54

Simplifying this fraction, we get:

t = 40/9

So it will take approximately 4.44 hours, or 4 hours and 26 minutes, to travel the same distance at 54 miles per hour.