Things You'll Need:
- To know the time elapsed (preferably in hours)
- To know the distance traveled (preferably in miles)
- Calculator
- Paper and Pencil
- How to convert your time into minutes or hours
- [3600 seconds = one hour, 60 minutes = one hour]
- How to convert your distance into miles
- [5280 feet = one mile, 1760 yards = one mile]
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Step 1
Write down the information you know as an equation in order to make your calculation. The equation is Velocity (MPH) = Distance (in miles) / Time (in hours).For the purpose of illustration, the following amounts are used: Distance= 100 miles, Time =3 hours.The equation for the illustration looks like this: Velocity = 100/3
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Step 2
Turn on the calculator and enter your number of miles. Then push the key for division which will either be labeled with the division symbol (a line with one dot above and one dot below), or a "/" symbol. In the example, the number 100 is entered, followed by the division symbol key.
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Step 3
Enter your number of hours. Then push the "=" key. In the example, the number 3 is entered, followed by "=".
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Step 4
Write down your result and turn off your calculator. The answer is the velocity or miles per hour (MPH) rate at which you are traveling. In the example, the calculator screen displays "33.333333". Therefore, traveling 100 miles in 3 hours means you are traveling at a velocity (rate) of 33.33 miles per hour.
