Calculating Distance: A Simple Example of Iram's School Journey

Imagine a student named Iram who walks to her school at a steady pace of 4 kilometers per hour and takes 45 minutes to reach her destination. This problem can be used to teach fundamental concepts in speed, time, and distance, which are crucial in many practical scenarios. Let's break down how to calculate the distance between Iram's home and her school step by step.

Understanding the Problem

Iram walks at a speed of 4 kilometers per hour (km/h) and it takes her 45 minutes to get to school. To calculate the distance between her home and her school, we can use the basic formula for distance:

Distance Speed × Time

Converting Time to Hours

The time given is in minutes, and we need to convert it to hours to use the formula correctly. Since there are 60 minutes in an hour:

45 minutes 45/60 hours 0.75 hours

Applying the Formula

Now we can substitute the speed (4 km/h) and the time (0.75 hours) into the formula:

Distance 4 km/h × 0.75 hours 3 km

This calculation tells us that the distance between Iram’s home and her school is 3 kilometers.

Further Exploration

The problem and its solution can be explored in more depth to ensure a clear understanding of the relationship between speed, time, and distance. Here are a few additional ways to look at the problem:

Multiple Approaches to the Solution

1. **Direct Multiplication**:

We can use the fact that 45 minutes is 0.75 of an hour, and Iram walks 4 km in one hour. Therefore, in 0.75 hours, she will cover:

0.75 × 4 km 3 km

2. **Dividing the Distance**:

If we consider that Iram covers 4 km in 60 minutes, then in 15 minutes, she covers 1 km. Therefore, in 45 minutes (which is 3 sets of 15 minutes), she will cover:

3 × 1 km 3 km

3. **Using the Formula Directly**:

Another way to approach the problem is to use the distance formula:

Distance Speed × Time

With speed given as 4 km/h and time as 45 minutes (0.75 hours), the calculation is:

Distance 4 km/h × 0.75 h 3 km

Conclusion

In conclusion, the distance between Iram's home and her school is 3 kilometers. This problem can be a straightforward introduction to the concepts of speed, time, and distance, making it an excellent homework example to reinforce these essential mathematical skills.