Question

Two people are driving to work at different constant speeds. The graph below shows the distance traveled over time by driver 1.

The table (no graph included just the table) below shows the distance traveled over time by driver 2.


What is the difference between the speeds of the two drivers in mph?

Answer 1

5 mph

Step-by-sep explanation:

To find of out the difference between the speed of the two drivers in miles per hour (not in miles per minute), first, calculate the unit rate or speed of driver 1 using the graph, and driver 2 using the table given.

Unit rate/speed = distance travelled/time = y/x.

Speed of Driver 1/unit rate:

The graph shows 1.5 miles (y) is travelled in 2 minutes (x).

Convert the 2 minutes to hour, you will have:

`(2)/(60) = (1)/(30) hr`

Speed in mph =
`(y)/(x) = (1.5)/((1)/(30)) = 1.5*(30)/(1) = 45`

Speed of Driver 1 in mph = 45 mph

Speed of Driver 2/unit rate:

The table shows 2.5 miles (y) is travelled in 3 minutes (x).

Convert the 3 minutes to hour, you will have:

`(3)/(60) = (1)/(20) hr`

Speed in mph =
`(y)/(x) = (2.5)/((1)/(20)) = 2.5*(20)/(1) = 50`

Speed of Driver 2 in mph = 50 mph

Difference between the speed of the two drivers = 50 - 45 = 5 mph