Police Math Test Police Math Speed, Distance, and Time 5

Question 1

A patrol car travels 3 miles north then 4 miles east. What is the straight-line distance from the start?

Accepted Answer

5 miles

Answer

By the Pythagorean theorem, √(3² + 4²) = √25 = 5 miles.

Question 2

A car at 55 mph needs to slow to 25 mph over 10 seconds. What is the average deceleration in mph per second?

Accepted Answer

3 mph/s

Answer

Speed drops 30 mph over 10 seconds = 3 mph per second.

Question 3

A delivery route is 84 miles. Driving at 56 mph with a 15-minute stop, what is the total trip time?

Accepted Answer

1 hour 45 min

Answer

Driving time = 84 ÷ 56 = 1.5 hours; plus 15 minutes = 1 hour 45 minutes.

Question 4

Two cars travel the same direction at 65 mph and 50 mph. How fast does the gap between them grow?

Accepted Answer

15 mph

Answer

The gap grows at the speed difference: 65 - 50 = 15 mph.

Question 5

A car travels 150 miles in 2 hours 30 minutes. What is its average speed?

Accepted Answer

60 mph

Answer

2 hours 30 minutes = 2.5 hours; 150 ÷ 2.5 = 60 mph.

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