At 60 mph on a freeway, 15 seconds is approximately how far?

At 60 mph on a freeway, 15 seconds is approximately how far?

• A. quarter of a mile
• B. a mile
• C. half a mile
• D. a tenth of a mile

Answer: (A)

Distance traveled equals speed times time. At 60 mph you cover 60 miles in 60 minutes, which is 1 mile per minute. Fifteen seconds is a quarter of a minute, so you cover a quarter of a mile in that time. Therefore, the distance is a quarter of a mile. Quick check: at 60 mph, you travel a mile in 60 seconds, so in 15 seconds you go 1/4 of that distance. The other options would require more or less time (a tenth of a mile in about 6 seconds, a half mile in about 30 seconds, a full mile in about 60 seconds).

Distance traveled equals speed times time. At 60 mph you cover 60 miles in 60 minutes, which is 1 mile per minute. Fifteen seconds is a quarter of a minute, so you cover a quarter of a mile in that time. Therefore, the distance is a quarter of a mile. Quick check: at 60 mph, you travel a mile in 60 seconds, so in 15 seconds you go 1/4 of that distance. The other options would require more or less time (a tenth of a mile in about 6 seconds, a half mile in about 30 seconds, a full mile in about 60 seconds).