The speed of a vehicle just before the brakes are applied can be estimated by using the formula
𝑠 = (28.75𝑑)^1⁄2, where s is the speed (in miles per hour) of the vehicle and d is the length (in feet) of the skid marks the vehicle leaves. How fast was a car traveling if it left skid marks 45 feet long? Round your answer to the nearest hundredth.
?
s = (28.75d)^1⁄2, d = 45 feet
35.9687... miles per hour
llaffer
You are given the equation:
s = (28.75d)^(1/2)
Where "s" is the speed in miles per hour and "d" is the length of the skid mark in feet.
You are then given the length of a known skid mark (45 ft) and asked to estimate the speed. Substitute and simplify.
The 1/2 exponent is the same as a square root so:
s = √(28.75d)
Substitute and simplify:
s = √(28.75 * 45)
s = √1293.75
s = 35.97 miles per hour (rounded to 2DP)