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Difficulty: EasyCalculating Distance

A patrol unit drives at a steady speed of 20 mph20\text{ mph} for 33 hours along a desert trail. They then enter a paved highway and drive at 50 mph50\text{ mph} for 22 hours. What is the total distance traveled by the patrol unit?

Answer: 160 / 160 miles / 160 mi / 160miles / 160.0

Answer

160 miles
To find the total distance, you must calculate the distance for each part of the journey separately. For the first leg, the distance is 20 mph×3 hours=60 miles20\text{ mph} \times 3\text{ hours} = 60\text{ miles}. For the second leg, the distance is 50 mph×2 hours=100 miles50\text{ mph} \times 2\text{ hours} = 100\text{ miles}. Adding these two distances together (60+10060 + 100) gives a total distance of 160160 miles.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the distance traveled during the first segment on the desert trail.
Distance = Rate × Time = 20 mph × 3 hours = 60 miles
The distance formula D=R×TD = R \times T is used to find the distance for each constant-speed leg of the trip.
2
Calculate the distance traveled during the second segment on the paved highway.
Distance = Rate × Time = 50 mph × 2 hours = 100 miles
Applying the same formula to the second leg provides the remaining distance.
3
Add the distances from both segments to find the total distance traveled.
60 miles + 100 miles = 160 miles
The total distance of a multi-leg journey is the sum of the distances of each individual segment.

Key Concept

Calculating total distance for a multi-leg journey using the formula Distance = Rate × Time (D=R×TD = R \times T).
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Topics

Calculating Distance

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