A car travels 180 miles in 4 hours. What is its average speed?

The average speed is 45 mph.

v = \frac{d}{t} = \frac{180}{4} = 45\ \text{mph}

How to work it out

1
Write down what you know: distance d = 180 miles, time t = 4 hours. You are asked for the speed v.
2
Use the formula speed = distance ÷ time:
$v = \frac{d}{t} = \frac{180}{4} = 45$
3
Answer with the unit: 45 mph.
4
The same formula rearranged: distance = speed × time (45 × 4 = 180 miles) and time = distance ÷ speed (180 ÷ 45 = 4 hours).

LaTeX source of the formulas on this page

\[ v = \frac{d}{t} = \frac{180}{4} = 45\ \text{mph} \]
\[ v = \frac{d}{t} = \frac{180}{4} = 45 \]

What is the speed if a car travels 180 miles in 4 hours?

The average speed is 45 mph.

How far does it go in 3 hours at that speed?

135 miles.