A marathon is 26.2 miles in length. If a runner covers an average of 0.97 meters per step, how many steps would they take running the marathon?
The correct answer and explanation is:
To calculate the number of steps a runner would take to complete a marathon, we first need to convert the marathon’s length from miles to meters. A marathon is 26.2 miles long, and 1 mile equals 1,609.34 meters.
So, to find the marathon distance in meters: 26.2 miles×1,609.34 meters/mile=42,195.3 meters26.2 \, \text{miles} \times 1,609.34 \, \text{meters/mile} = 42,195.3 \, \text{meters}
Next, we need to determine how many steps the runner takes per meter. Given that the average step length is 0.97 meters per step, we can now find the number of steps the runner would take by dividing the total marathon distance by the distance per step: 42,195.3 meters0.97 meters/step≈43,478.7 steps\frac{42,195.3 \, \text{meters}}{0.97 \, \text{meters/step}} \approx 43,478.7 \, \text{steps}
Since the number of steps must be a whole number, the runner would take approximately 43,479 steps to complete the marathon.
Explanation:
A marathon is quite long, and by converting the distance into meters, we make it easier to calculate the number of steps involved. This calculation assumes that the runner’s step length stays constant throughout the entire race. The result of 43,479 steps is a direct result of dividing the total marathon distance (in meters) by the step length. This method allows us to account for the actual distance the runner covers with each step, making the calculation more precise. Keep in mind that in reality, a runner’s step length might vary slightly throughout the marathon depending on factors like fatigue or terrain, but this provides a good approximation.