Word Problems: Rates, Time, and Distance
Use rate, time, and distance to solve real-world problems
Word Problems: Rates, Time, and Distance
Use rate, time, and distance to solve real-world problems
Math - Grade 6-8
- 1
A cyclist rides 24 miles in 2 hours. What is the cyclist's average speed in miles per hour?
Use rate = distance divided by time.
The cyclist's average speed is 12 miles per hour because 24 divided by 2 equals 12. - 2
A car travels at 55 miles per hour for 3 hours. How far does it travel?
The car travels 165 miles because 55 multiplied by 3 equals 165. - 3
A runner jogs 18 miles in 3 hours. What is the runner's average speed?
Find the unit rate for 1 hour.
The runner's average speed is 6 miles per hour because 18 divided by 3 equals 6. - 4
A train moves at 60 miles per hour for 4.5 hours. How far does the train travel?
The train travels 270 miles because 60 multiplied by 4.5 equals 270. - 5
A bus travels 150 miles at an average speed of 50 miles per hour. How long does the trip take?
Use time = distance divided by rate.
The trip takes 3 hours because 150 divided by 50 equals 3. - 6
A hiker walks at 4 miles per hour for 2.5 hours. How far does the hiker walk?
The hiker walks 10 miles because 4 multiplied by 2.5 equals 10. - 7
A boat travels 84 miles in 7 hours. What is its average speed?
Divide the total distance by the total time.
The boat's average speed is 12 miles per hour because 84 divided by 7 equals 12. - 8
A student rides a scooter at 8 miles per hour for 1.5 hours. How far does the student travel?
The student travels 12 miles because 8 multiplied by 1.5 equals 12. - 9
A plane flies 1,200 miles in 3 hours. What is the plane's average speed?
Average speed is total distance divided by total time.
The plane's average speed is 400 miles per hour because 1,200 divided by 3 equals 400. - 10
A delivery truck drives 210 miles at 70 miles per hour. How long does the drive take?
The drive takes 3 hours because 210 divided by 70 equals 3. - 11
A swimmer completes 2 miles in 0.5 hour. What is the swimmer's average speed in miles per hour?
Dividing by one-half is the same as multiplying by 2.
The swimmer's average speed is 4 miles per hour because 2 divided by 0.5 equals 4. - 12
A family drives 180 miles in 4 hours. If they continue at the same average speed for 2 more hours, how many more miles will they travel?
They will travel 90 more miles. First, their average speed is 45 miles per hour because 180 divided by 4 equals 45. Then 45 multiplied by 2 equals 90. - 13
A dog walker walks 9 miles in 3 hours. At the same rate, how far will the dog walker go in 5 hours?
Find the miles traveled in 1 hour first.
The dog walker will go 15 miles. First, the rate is 3 miles per hour because 9 divided by 3 equals 3. Then 3 multiplied by 5 equals 15. - 14
A train travels 350 miles in 5 hours. Then it continues for 2 more hours at the same speed. What is the total distance traveled?
The total distance traveled is 490 miles. First, the speed is 70 miles per hour because 350 divided by 5 equals 70. In 2 more hours, the train travels 140 miles. Then 350 plus 140 equals 490. - 15
Maria bikes to her friend's house at 10 miles per hour and rides for 45 minutes. How far does she travel?
Convert 45 minutes to hours before multiplying.
Maria travels 7.5 miles. Forty-five minutes is 0.75 hour, and 10 multiplied by 0.75 equals 7.5.