Question

Emily leaves her house at exactly 8:25 a.m. to bike to her school, which is 3.42 miles away. When she passes the post office, which is 3/4 mile away from her home, she looks at her watch and sees that it is 30 seconds from 8:29 a.m. If Emily’s school starts at 8:50 a.m., can Emily make it to school on time without increasing her rate of speed? Show and/or explain the work necessary to support your answer.

Answer 1

First, let's find out the number of minutes Emily has to get to school. From 8:25 to 8:50, there are 25 minutes.

Next, let's find out  the number of minutes before Emily looks at her watch. From 8:25 to 8:28.50, there are 3.5 minutes.

Now let's calculate Emily's speed in miles per minute. To do so, divide the distance traveled by the time it took:

$\frac{0.75}{3.5}$ miles/minute

Now let's calculate how far Emily can travel in 25 minutes going this speed. To do so, we multiply her speed by the time traveled:

$\frac{0.75(25)}{3.5} =5.357$ miles

5.357 miles is greater than 3.42 miles, so yes, Emily will make it to school on time.