Question

The music you hear when listening to a magnetic cassette tape is the result of the magnetic tape passing over magnetic heads, which read the magnetic information on the tape. The length of time a tape will play depends on the length of the tape and the operating speed of the tape player. The formula is T = L S , where T is the time in seconds, L is the length of the tape in inches, and S is the operating speed in inches per second. How long a tape does a police officer need to record a 3-minute confession at an operating speed of 4 1 2 inches per second?

Answer 1

Using the given formula T = LS

And given the time is 3 minutes (3 x 60 = 180 seconds)and the speed is 4-1/2 inches per second:

180 = L x 4-1/2

Solve for L by dividing both sides by 4-1/2:

L = 180 / 4-1/2

L = 40

The length should be 40 inches.