Distance Formula

Solve for d, r or t

1
You are shipping a container (2 TEUs) of
30,000 athletic shoes from Hong Kong to
Long Beach.

When are your shoes going to

arrive in
Long Beach?

As long as you know the distance and the

rate of speed for the ship you can figure
out when the shoes are expected!
2
Objective

Today we are going to learn how to

apply the distance formula to find
distance traveled, time traveled, or
rate (speed).

CA Math Content Standard

Algebra and Functions
6 2.3 Solve problems involving rates,
average speed, distance, and time.

4
Purpose

• Tests and Quizzes

• Next Year’s Math Class
• Real life applications
• Shipping industry
• Travel industry
• Trip/Vacation planning

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Distance Formula

Distance = Rate ● Time

d
Feet, ft Miles Yards
Inches, in Meters, m
Kilometers, km Centimeters,
cm
Nautical Mile (≈1.15 miles)
6
Distance Formula

Distance = Rate ● Time

d = r
Miles per Hour, mph, miles
hour
Kilometers per hour
Meters per minute
Nautical Miles per Hour =
Knot
7
Distance Formula

Distance = Rate ● Time

d = r● t
Hours Days
Seconds Years
Week Minutes

d = rt Memorize!!! 8
Tell Your Neighbor

• Determine which partner will be

person A and which is person B.
• Person A: Tell your partner what r
stands for and an example unit.
• Person B: Tell your partner he or
she is correct, or tell your partner
the correct meaning of r.

r = rate mph, km per hour, …

9
Tell Your Neighbor

• Person B: Tell your partner what t

stands for and an example unit.
• Person A: Tell your partner he or
she is correct, or tell your partner
the correct meaning of t.

t = time hour, week, …

10
Tell Your Neighbor

• Person A: Tell your partner what d

stands for and an example unit.
• Person B: Tell your partner he or
she is correct, or tell your partner
the correct meaning of d.

d = distance miles, kilometers, …

11
Tell Your Neighbor

• Person B: Tell your partner the

distance formula.
• Person A: Tell your partner he or
she is correct, or tell your partner
the correct formula.
Distance Formula
distance = rate ● time

d = r●t d = rt 12
 Find Distance
If you are traveling for 3 hours at 65 mph,
how far will you have gone?
1. Write Down Formula d = rt

13
 Find Distance
If you are traveling for 3 hours at 65 mph,
how far will you have gone?
• Write Down Formula d = rt
• What are you trying
Distance = ??? = d
to find AND what do r = 65 mph
you know? t = 3 hours

14
Find Distance
If you are traveling for 3 hours at 65 mph,
how far will you have gone?
• Write Down Formula d = rt
• What are you trying
Distance = ??? = d
to find AND what do r = 65 mph
you know? t = 3 hours
d = 65 miles●3 hour
• Substitute known hour
variables and solve d = 195 miles
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If you are traveling for 4 hours
at 55 mph, how far will you
travel?
Person A: Tell Your neighbor the distance formula.
d = rt
Person B: Correct? Tell your neighbor the rate.
r = 55 mph
Person A: Correct? Tell your neighbor the time.
t = 4 hours
Person B: Correct? Explain how to find the
distance.
Substitute r and t in
Person A: Correct? formula and solve
16
Time to Practice
• I will give you a problem.
• First, you will solve it on your own.
• Second, you will check your solution
with your group members.
• Third, I will select one person at
random to teach the class how to
solve the problem.
• Be sure to refer to your notes for
the 3 steps.
17
On Your Own

Solve Using Distance Formula:

You traveled for 2 hours to get to your job

at the Port or Long Beach at a rate of 35
mph, how far did you travel?

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 Check with your group members

Teach anyone who needs help.

You traveled for 2 hours to get to your job

at the Port or Long Beach at a rate of 35
mph, how far did you travel?

19
 One person teaches

I will select one person to teach the class

You traveled for 2 hours to get to your job

at the Port or Long Beach at a rate of 35
mph, how far did you travel?

20
Solution

You traveled for 2 hours to get to your job

at the Port or Long Beach at a rate of 35
mph, how far did you travel?

d = rt
d = 35 miles ● 2 hour
hour
d = 70 miles

21
 Practice
The Glory Sanye, an oil tanker, is traveling for
15 days from the Port of Long Beach to the
Quigdoa Oil Port in the Jiao Zhou Gulf in China at
a rate of 480 miles per day. How far is The Glory
Sanye traveling?
1. Write Down Formula d = rt

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 Practice
The Glory Sanye, an oil tanker, is traveling for
15 days from the Port of Long Beach to the
Quigdoa Oil Port in the Jiao Zhou Gulf in China at
day. How far is The Glory
a rate of 480 miles per day
Sanye traveling?
• Write Down Formula d = rt

• What are you Distance = ??? = d

trying to find AND r = 480 miles per day
what do you know? t = 15 days
23
The Glory Sanye, an oil tanker, is traveling for 15 days from the
Port of Long Beach to the Quigdoa Oil Port in the Jiao Zhou Gulf
in China at a rate of 480 miles per day. How far is The Glory
Sanye traveling?
• Write Down Formula d = rt

• What are you trying Distance = ??? =d

to find AND what do r = 480 miles per day
you know? t = 15 days
d = 480 miles ●15 day
• Substitute known day
variables and solve d = 7200 miles
24
Time to Practice
• I will give you a problem.
• First, you will solve it on your own.
• Second, you will check your solution
with your group members.
• Third, I will select one person at
random to teach the class how to
solve the problem.
• Be sure to refer to your notes for
the 3 steps.
25
 On Your Own
Solve Using Distance Formula
Now, the Gloria Sanye is traveling empty
at a rate of 520 miles per day from the
Quigdoa Port in China to Dubai in the
United Arab Emirates. If it only takes 7
days to get to Dubai, how far is the Gloria
Sanye traveling?

26
Check with your group members
Teach anyone who needs help
Now, the Gloria Sanye is traveling empty
at a rate of 520 miles per day from the
Quigdoa Port in China to Dubai in the
United Arab Emirates. If it only takes 7
days to get to Dubai, how far is the Gloria
Sanye traveling?

27
One person teaches

I will select one person to teach the class.

Now, the Gloria Sanye is traveling empty
at a rate of 520 miles per day from the
Quigdoa Port in China to Dubai in the
United Arab Emirates. If it only takes 7
days to get to Dubai, how far is the Gloria
Sanye traveling?

28
Solution
Now, the Gloria Sanye is traveling empty
at a rate of 520 miles per day from the
Quigdoa Port in China to Dubai in the
United Arab Emirates. If it only takes 7
days to get to Dubai, how far is the Gloria
Sanye traveling?
d = rt
d = 520 miles ● 7 day
day
d = 3640 miles
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Nautical Mile

• Distance unit used by

ships
• Also used by aviation (air
travel)
• Historically equal to 1
min. latitude from the
equator
• About 1.15 miles or equal
to 1.853 km
• Abbreviate  nm

• 1 knot = 1 nm per hour 30

Tell Your Neighbor
• Person B: Tell your neighbor the
abbreviation for nautical mile.
nm
• Person A: Correct? Tell your neighbor
how many miles is 1 nautical mile.
1.15 miles
• Person B: Correct? Tell your neighbor
who uses nautical miles.
ships and airplanes
• Person A: Correct? Tell your neighbor
what a knot is.
nautical miles per hour
• Person B: Correct?
31
 Find Rate
The MSC Texas is traveling from Hong Kong to Long
Beach about 13,200 nautical miles. It is full of
containers, about 8,200 TEUs. The MSC Texas will take
about 600 hours (about 25 days). How fast is the MSC
Texas traveling? d = rt
1.Write down the distance
formula

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 Find Rate

The MSC Texas is traveling from Hong Kong to Long Beach

about 13,200 nautical miles
miles. It is full of containers, about 8,200
TEUs. The MSC Texas will take about 600 hours (about 25
days). How fast is the MSC Texas traveling?

d = rt
• Write down the distance
formula rate = ??? = r
d = 13,200 nm
• What are you looking for
and what do you know? t = 600 hour

33
The MSC Texas is traveling from Hong Kong to Long Beach
about 13,200 nautical miles. It is full of containers, about 8,200
TEUs. The MSC Texas will take about 600 hours (about 25
days). How fast is the MSC Texas traveling?
• Write down the distance d = rt Solve
formula rate = ??? = r for r
d = 13,200 nm
• What are you looking for
and what do you know? t = 600 hour
13, 200 nm = r ● 600 hour
• Substitute and solve for 600 hour 600 hour
rate 22 nm/hour = r OR
22 knots = r
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Tell Your Neighbor
The MSC Texas is traveling back to Hong Kong, but only a third of the
containers are full. It will take the MSC Texas about 15 days to travel
12,500 kilometers to Hong Kong. How fast is the MSC Texas traveling on
its return trip?

Partner A: What are you trying to find?

rate or speed
Partner B: Correct? What is the time?
15 days
Partner A: Correct? What is the distance?
12,500 km
Partner B: Correct? Explain how you would solve
for the rate. Substitute distance and
time and solve for r
35
Time to Practice
• I will give you a problem.
• First, you will solve it on your own.
• Second, you will check your solution
with your group members.
• Third, I will select one person at
random to teach the class how to
solve the problem.
• Be sure to refer to your notes for
the 3 steps.
36
On Your Own
Solve Using Distance Formula:
The MSC Texas is traveling back to Hong
Kong but only half of the containers are full. It
will take the MSC Texas about 550 hours
(about 23 days) to travel 13,200 nm. How fast
is the MSC Texas traveling on its return trip?

37
Check with your group members

Teach anyone who needs help

The MSC Texas is traveling back to Hong Kong
but only half of the containers are full. It will take
the MSC Texas about 550 hours (about 23 days)
to travel 13,200 nm. How fast is the MSC Texas
traveling on its return trip?

38
 One person teaches

I will select one person to teach the class

The MSC Texas is traveling back to Hong

Kong but only half of the containers are full.
It will take the MSC Texas about 550 hours
(about 23 days) to travel 13,200 nm. How
fast is the MSC Texas traveling on its return
trip?

39
Solution
The MSC Texas is traveling back to Hong
Kong but only half of the containers are full. It
will take the MSC Texas about 550 hours
(about 23 days) to travel 13,200 nm. How fast
is the MSC Texas traveling on its return trip?
d = rt
13,200 nm = r ● 550 hour
13,200 nm = r ● 550 hour
550 hour 550 hour
24 nm/hour = r OR 24 knots = r
40
Find Time
A cargo train is traveling to Sacramento, CA from Los
Angeles, about 375 miles by train. If the train travels at
an average speed of 30 mph, how long will it take to
reach Sacramento?
1.Write down the
d = rt
distance formula

41
Find Time
A cargo train is traveling to Sacramento, CA from Los
Angeles, about 375 miles by train. If the train travels at
an average speed of 30 mphmph, how long will it take to
reach Sacramento?
• Write down the d = rt
distance formula time = ??? = t
d = 375 miles
• What are you trying to
miles
find AND What do r = 30 mph = 30 hour
you know

42
 Find Time
A cargo train is traveling to Sacramento, CA from Los Angeles,
about 375 miles by train. If the train travels at an average speed
of 30 mph, how long will it take to reach Sacramento?

• Write down the d = rt Solve

time = ??? = t for t
distance formula
d = 375 miles
• What are you trying to miles
find AND What do r = 30 mph = 30 hour
miles
you know 375 miles = 30 hour ● t
miles
30 hour 30miles
hour
• Substitute and solve
for t
43
 Find Time
A cargo train is traveling to Sacramento, CA from Los milesAngeles,miles
= miles ÷
about 375 miles by train. If the train travels at an average
miles speed hour
of 30 mph, how long will it take to reach Sacramento? hour
hour
1.Write down the d = rt = miles •
miles
time = ??? = t
distance formula = hour
d = 375 miles
2.What are you trying to r = 30 mph
find AND What do
miles
you know 375 miles = 30 ●t
hour
30 miles 30 miles
hour hour
3.Substitute and solve 12.5 hours = t OR
for t 12 ½ hours
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Tell Your Neighbor
The new speed trains that the State of California is looking to
buy can travel 100 mph. How long would a trip from LA to
Sacramento, about 375 miles, take in the new trains?
Partner B: What are you trying to find?
time
Partner A: Correct? What is the rate?
100 mph
Partner B: Correct? What is the distance?
375 miles
Partner A: Correct? Explain how you would solve
for the time. Substitute distance and
rate and solve for t
Partner B: Correct? 45
Time to Practice
• I will give you a couple problems.
• First, you will solve them on your
own.
• Second, you will check your
solutions with your group members.
• Third, I will select one person at
random to teach the class how to
solve each problem.
• Be sure to refer to your notes for
the 3 steps.
46
Alameda Corridor

Click the
picture to see
4 minute clip

47
 On Your Own
Solve Using Distance Formula
• In 2000 it trains could only travel 10 miles per
hour down Alameda Street to the transfer point
for cargo heading west. The distance traveled
is 20 miles. How long would it take a train to
travel down Alameda Street?

• Now trains can travel 40 miles per hour down

the 20 mile Alameda Corridor. How long does it
now take trains to travel down Alameda?

48
Check with your group members
Teach anyone who needs help

• In 2000 it trains could only travel 10 miles per

hour down Alameda Street to the transfer point
for cargo heading west. The distance traveled
is 20 miles. How long would it take a train to
travel down Alameda Street?

• Now trains can travel 40 miles per hour down

the 20 mile Alameda Corridor. How long does it
now take trains to travel down Alameda?

49
 One person teaches

I will select one person to teach the class

1. In 2000 it trains could only travel 10 miles

per hour down Alameda Street to the
transfer point for cargo heading west. The
distance traveled is 20 miles. How long
would it take a train to travel down Alameda
Street?

50
Solution
1. In 2000 it trains could only travel 10 miles
per hour down Alameda Street to the
transfer point for cargo heading west. The
distance traveled is 20 miles. How long
would it take a train to travel down Alameda
Street?
d =rt
20 miles = 10 miles/hour ● t
20 miles = 10 miles/hour ● t
10 miles/hour 10 miles/hour
2 hours = t
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 One person teaches

I will select one person to teach the class

2. Now trains can travel 40
miles per hour down the 20
mile Alameda Corridor.
How long does it now take
trains to travel down
Alameda?

52
Solution
2. Now trains can travel 40 miles per hour
down the 20 mile Alameda Corridor.
How long does it now take trains to
travel down Alameda?
d =rt
20 miles = 40 miles/hour ● t
20 miles = 40 miles/hour ● t
40miles/hour 40 miles/hour
0.5 hour = t OR

½ hour = t
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Closure
Summarize in your notes the steps
for applying the distance formula to
find:
2. Distance
3. Rate
4. Time

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