Converting Speeds: How Far Does a Car Travel in One Minute at Various Speeds?

Understanding the Problem

Converting the speed of a car from kilometers per hour (km/h) to meters per minute (m/min) can be a very useful skill, especially in practical scenarios or during educational exercises. Let's explore a practical example and understand the steps involved in solving such a problem.

The Problem: A Car Travelling at 85 km/h

Imagine a scenario where a car is moving at a speed of 85 kilometers per hour. How many meters does this car cover in one minute? This problem requires us to convert the speed from km/h to m/min.

Step-by-Step Solution

To convert the speed from kilometers per hour to meters per minute, we need to follow these steps: Understand the conversion factors: 1 kilometer (km) 1000 meters (m) 1 hour (hr) 60 minutes (min) Use the conversion formula:

Speed in meters per minute Speed in km/h times; (1000 m/1 km) times; (1 hr/60 min)

Plug in the values:

Speed in meters/minute 85 km/h times; (1000/60) ≈ 1416.67 meters/minute

Therefore, the car travels approximately 1416.67 meters in one minute.

Generalizing the Problem: A Car Travelling at 100 km/h

Let's generalize the problem to a car traveling at 100 kilometers per hour. How many meters will this car cover in one minute?

Step-by-Step Solution

To find out how many meters a car will cover in one minute when traveling at 100 kilometers per hour, follow these steps: Remember the conversion factors: 100 kilometers (km) 100,000 meters (m) 1 hour (hr) 60 minutes (min) Convert the speed to meters per minute:

Speed in meters/minute (100,000 m) / 60 min 1666.67 meters/minute (approximately)

Therefore, a car traveling at 100 kilometers per hour will cover approximately 1666 meters in one minute.

Additional Examples

Let's look at a couple of additional examples to further solidify this concept.

Example 1: 100 km/h to m/min

100 kilometers 100,000 meters

1 hour 60 minutes

Speed in meters/minute (100,000 m) / 60 min 1666.67 meters/minute

Example 2: 85 km/h to m/min

85 kilometers 85,000 meters

1 hour 60 minutes

Speed in meters/minute (85,000 m) / 60 min 1416.67 meters/minute

Conclusion

Converting speeds from kilometers per hour to meters per minute is a fundamental skill in many practical applications, such as in transportation, physics, and engineering. Understanding this conversion helps in accurately measuring and comparing distances over time at various speeds. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily solve these types of problems and understand the underlying concepts. Mathematics, as a subject, requires practice and patience. If you find yourself struggling with these calculations, remember that practicing similar problems will help you become proficient over time.

Further Reading

If you want to delve deeper into speed conversions and related topics, consider exploring additional resources on unit conversions and basic arithmetic.