Speed, time and distance
Speed, time, distance
How to think it through
- 1You are given two of speed, time and distance; find the third.
- 2First turn the time into hours (divide minutes by 60, not 100).
- 3Then one formula, turned the way you need: D = S × T.
Worked example
Every step says why you do it, which formula you use, the working and the answer.
Speed, time and distance
You sail at 8.0 knots for 2 h 55 min. How far do you go?
How many hours is that, as a decimal?
Why: Speed is miles per hour, so time must be in hours, not minutes.
Working: 175 ÷ 60 = 2.92 h
Answer: 2.92 h
How many miles do you cover?
Why: Distance is the hours you sail times the miles you make in an hour.
Working: 8.0 × 2.92 = 23.3 NM
Answer: 23.3 NM