An airplane refuels in Bakersfield and continues on to Fresno. It travels an average speed of 610 km/h. IF the trip takes 2.75 hours, what is the flight distance between Bakersfield and Fresno?
Answered on
To calculate the flight distance between Bakersfield and Fresno, we can use the formula for distance, which is:
Distance = Speed × Time
According to the information, the airplane travels at an average speed of 610 km/h, and the trip takes 2.75 hours. Let's plug these values into the formula:
Distance = 610 km/h × 2.75 h
To calculate the distance, multiply the speed by the time:
Distance = 1677.5 km
Thus, the flight distance between Bakersfield and Fresno is 1677.5 km.
Extra: When dealing with problems involving motion, the concept of average speed is essential. Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken to travel that distance. It is important to note that speed can change during the course of a trip due to various factors such as air traffic control, weather conditions, or changes in elevation. However, when we talk about "average speed," we are considering the overall rate of movement from one point to another without taking into account any changes in speed that may have occurred during the trip.
Speed is typically measured in units such as kilometers per hour (km/h), meters per second (m/s), or miles per hour (mph), depending on the context and region. The formula Distance = Speed × Time is a fundamental relationship that applies to uniform motion, meaning the speed is constant. When using this formula, it's crucial that the units of speed and time are compatible so that they correctly produce the distance in the desired unit (such as kilometers in this situation).
Time measurement is also vital in such problems. It is often given in hours, minutes, and sometimes seconds. In the case of the airplane's flight, the time given was in hours, which is congruent with the speed unit (km/h), so no further conversion was needed. If time is given in a different unit, it must be converted to one that matches the unit of speed before performing the calculation. For example, if time is given in minutes, it must be converted to hours if the speed is in km/h.