What is your unit rate if you went 250 miles in 5 hours?
A 50 miles per hour
B 62.5 miles per hour
C 250 miles per hour
D 1250 miles per hour
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
To determine the unit rate of travel, we need to find out how many miles were covered in one hour. This is calculated by dividing the total distance traveled by the total time taken.
Here, the total distance traveled is 250 miles, and the total time taken is 5 hours. The formula for calculating the unit rate (or speed) is:
[
\text{Unit Rate} = \frac{\text{Total Distance}}{\text{Total Time}}
]
Substituting the given values into the formula, we have:
[
\text{Unit Rate} = \frac{250 \text{ miles}}{5 \text{ hours}} = 50 \text{ miles per hour}
]
So, the correct answer is A: 50 miles per hour.
Explanation
Unit rates are a way to express the relationship between two quantities, allowing for easier comparison. In this case, the two quantities are distance (in miles) and time (in hours). By calculating the unit rate, we find out how far one travels in one hour, which gives us a clearer understanding of the speed of travel.
In practical terms, a speed of 50 miles per hour means that if you were to travel for one hour at that speed, you would cover 50 miles. This unit rate is particularly useful in various real-life applications, such as planning trips, estimating travel times, and determining fuel efficiency.
For example, if you know the speed at which you can travel, you can predict how long it will take to reach a destination by dividing the distance to the destination by the speed. Understanding unit rates can also help in evaluating transportation options, like choosing between driving or taking public transport based on travel times.
In summary, the calculation of the unit rate not only helps in determining speed but also aids in making informed decisions related to travel and time management.