Question

The graph below shows the relationship between time and distance traveled by a race

car moving at a constant rate and at its maximum speed. How long did it take the
race car to travel 480 miles?
Race Car Data
Distance (miles)
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
0.5 1.5 2.5 3.5 4.5 5.5 6.5
Time (hours)

Answer 1

t = 4.2 h

Explanation:

We can calculate the time taken by the car to travel 400 miles, easily by taking a difference of time in graph between 0 miles and 400 miles value:

t₄₀₀ = 3.5 h - 0 h

t₄₀₀ = 3.5 h

Now, we calculate the constant speed of the car from the following formula:

s = vt

v = s/t

where,

v = velocity of the car = ?

s = distance covered by the car = 400 mi

t = time taken = 3.5 h

Therefore,

v = 400 mi/3.5 h

v = 114.28 mi/h

Now, for this uniform speed the time taken to cover the distance of 480 miles will be:

114.28 mi/h = 480 mi/t

t = (480 mi)/(114.28 mi/h)

t = 4.2 h