What is the Average Speed of a Boat Across a Lake?

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SUMMARY

The average speed of a boat moving 15.0 km across a lake in 30.0 minutes is calculated to be 30 km/h. The formula used is average speed = distance/time, where the time must be converted to hours for the final calculation. The discussion clarifies that 30 minutes is equivalent to 0.5 hours, leading to the conclusion that the boat travels 30 km in one hour at the same speed.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic speed, distance, and time relationships
  • Familiarity with unit conversions, specifically minutes to hours
  • Knowledge of the formula for average speed: d/t
  • Basic arithmetic skills for multiplication and division
NEXT STEPS
  • Learn about unit conversions in physics, focusing on time
  • Explore more complex speed calculations involving varying distances and times
  • Study real-world applications of average speed in navigation and travel
  • Investigate the impact of speed on fuel consumption for boats
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics or mathematics, educators teaching speed and distance concepts, and anyone interested in practical applications of average speed calculations.

Makaroon
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Homework Statement


A boat moves 15.0 km across a lake in 30.0 min. What was the average speed of the boat in kilometers per hour?


Homework Equations


average speed: d/t


The Attempt at a Solution


ok since it is asking kilometers per hour that is the part tha confuses me.
i mean i believe that it is 15.0 km/30.0
but it is asking for hour...
sooo that where i get lost.
 
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That's what it did in 30 min.

How much would it do in an hour.
 
oh so then i multiply that times 2?

or would i do 15.0/60?
 
ok no..that doesn't make sense :S
 
If it goes x km in thirty minutes and keeps the same speed, wouldn't it go the same distance in the next thirty minutes?
 
ooh so then its the same..
 
Makaroon said:
i mean i believe that it is 15.0 km/30.0
but it is asking for hour...
sooo that where i get lost.

Your 15km/30 is lacking one thing: Units on the 30. The 30 is in minutes, so this division would give you km/minute.
 
hm, but it is asking for kilometers per hour.

gosh sorry I'm soo ugh for this.
 
30 min is ½hour, right?

It goes 15km in ½hour - how much in 1 whole hour?
 
  • #10
oh so then it is 30km/h?
 
  • #11
Yep, that's it.
 
  • #12
wow! thank you so much!
i truly appreciate it!
 

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