A Day at the Races: Practice Computing Average Speed

The goal of this activity is to determine if the race car will beat the pace car (which is traveling at 60 miles per hour).

  1. Move the end position and race time for the race car as indicated in the chart below. 

  2. Compute the average rate (or speed) for the race car for each race. Then, click in the box to indicate who you think will win.

  3. Run the simulation for each race to determine if you were correct.

  4. Click on the "Show race car speed" button in the simulation to see if you calculated the speed of the race car correctly.

  5. Click on the "Reset the cars" button in the simulation to set up the next race.
    Race Length (Ending Position) Travel time for Race Car Average speed for Race Car Who will win? Run the simulation to check your answer. Were you correct?
  Race #1 210 4 hours

Race Car    Pace Car

Yes      No

  Race #2 120 4 hours Race Car    Pace Car

Yes      No

  Race #3 120 2 hours Race Car    Pace Car

Yes      No

  Race #4 250 1 hour Race Car    Pace Car

Yes      No

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