A student wrote four statements during math class. Which statement contains an error?

Question

If Josh traveled 198 miles at an average speed of 33 miles per hour, he was traveling for exactly 6 hours.
If Rhonda traveled 273 miles at an average speed of 39 miles per hour, she was traveling for exactly 7 hours.
If Will traveled 376 miles at an average speed of 47 miles per hour, he was traveling for exactly 8 hours.
If Yolanda traveled 487 miles at an average speed of 53 miles per hour, she was traveling for exactly 9 hours.

Answer 1

To determine which statement contains an error, we can calculate the time each person traveled using the formula:

\[ \text{Time} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Speed}} \]

1. Josh:

   • Distance: 198 miles
   • Speed: 33 miles per hour
   • Time = 198 miles ÷ 33 miles/hour = 6 hours (Correct)

2. Rhonda:

   • Distance: 273 miles
   • Speed: 39 miles per hour
   • Time = 273 miles ÷ 39 miles/hour = 7 hours (Correct)

3. Will:

   • Distance: 376 miles
   • Speed: 47 miles per hour
   • Time = 376 miles ÷ 47 miles/hour ≈ 8 hours (Actually calculated):
     • \( 376 ÷ 47 ≈ 8 \) (Correct)

4. Yolanda:

   • Distance: 487 miles
   • Speed: 53 miles per hour
   • Time = 487 miles ÷ 53 miles/hour ≈ 9.18 hours
     • \( 487 ÷ 53 ≈ 9.18 \) which is approximately 9 hours (Incorrect)

Thus, the statement that contains an error is Yolanda's statement; she was not traveling for exactly 9 hours. The correct time should be around 9.18 hours.