Question

A scientist is studying the motion of a particular glacier. He notes that this glacier has moved 2 over 3 of a meter in 3 over 4 of a day. What is the unit rate in meter(s)/day of this glacier?

Answer 1

The glacier has moved 2 over 3 of a meter in 3 over 4 of a day.

Distance moved by glacier = 2 over 3 = 2/3 m

Duration in which 2/3 distance was moved = 3 over 4 of a day = 3/4 day

So we have to find unit rate in meter(s)/day.

Unit rate can be found by dividing distance moved by duration in which the distance was moved.

So finding unit rate:

$Unit rate =\frac{distance moved}{duration}$

We are given distance moved 2/3 and duration as 3/4.

Plugging these values in the formula for unit rate,

$Unit rate =\frac{2/3}{3/4}$

In division of fraction, we take reciprocal of second fraction and multiply it with the first.

$Unit rate =\frac{2}{3} *\frac{4}{3}$

Unit rate = 8/9 m/day

Answer : Unit rate at which glacier is moving is (8/9) meters per day.