A car travels 270 miles in 12 hours. What is its average speed?
The average speed is 22.5 mph.
How to work it out
- 1
Write down what you know: distance d = 270 miles, time t = 12 hours. You are asked for the speed v.
- 2
Use the formula speed = distance ÷ time:
- 3
Answer with the unit: 22.5 mph.
- 4
The same formula rearranged: distance = speed × time (22.5 × 12 = 270 miles) and time = distance ÷ speed (270 ÷ 22.5 = 12 hours).
LaTeX source of the formulas on this page
\[ v = \frac{d}{t} = \frac{270}{12} = 22.5\ \text{mph} \]
\[ v = \frac{d}{t} = \frac{270}{12} = \frac{45}{2} = 22.5 \]How far at 22.5 mph
| Time | Distance |
|---|---|
| 0.5 hours | 11.25 miles |
| 1 hour | 22.5 miles |
| 2 hours | 45 miles |
| 3 hours | 67.5 miles |
| 4 hours | 90 miles |
| 5 hours | 112.5 miles |
Questions
What is the speed if a car travels 270 miles in 12 hours?
The average speed is 22.5 mph.
How far does it go in 3 hours at that speed?
67.5 miles.