High School

The table below shows the data for a car stopping on a wet road. What is the approximate stopping distance for a car traveling at 35 mph?

Car Stopping Distances:

[tex]
\[
\begin{array}{|c|c|}
\hline
v \, (\text{mph}) & d \, (\text{ft}) \\
\hline
15 & 17.9 \\
\hline
20 & 31.8 \\
\hline
50 & 198.7 \\
\hline
\end{array}
\]
[/tex]

The stopping distance function is given by:

[tex]
d(v) = \frac{2.15 v^2}{64.4 f}
[/tex]

Possible distances for 35 mph:
- 41.7 ft
- 49.7 ft
- 97.4 ft

Answer :

To find the approximate stopping distance for a car traveling at 35 mph on a wet road, we use the given stopping distance formula:

[tex]\[ d(v) = \frac{2.15 \cdot v^2}{64.4 \cdot f} \][/tex]

Where:
- [tex]\( v \)[/tex] is the speed in miles per hour (mph),
- [tex]\( f \)[/tex] is the coefficient of friction for the road, which is 0.6 for a wet road.

Here's how you calculate it:

1. Identify the given speed: The car is traveling at 35 mph.

2. Use the coefficient of friction: For a wet road, the given coefficient of friction is [tex]\( f = 0.6 \)[/tex].

3. Plug the values into the formula:

[tex]\[
d(35) = \frac{2.15 \cdot (35)^2}{64.4 \cdot 0.6}
\][/tex]

- First, square the speed: [tex]\( 35^2 = 1225 \)[/tex].
- Then, multiply by 2.15: [tex]\( 2.15 \cdot 1225 = 2637.75 \)[/tex].
- Next, calculate the denominator: [tex]\( 64.4 \cdot 0.6 = 38.64 \)[/tex].
- Finally, divide the results: [tex]\( \frac{2637.75}{38.64} \approx 68.16 \)[/tex].

4. Interpret the result: The approximate stopping distance for a car traveling at 35 mph on a wet road is around 68.16 feet.

Therefore, if you are choosing from options, none of the given options are exact, but the calculation suggests that the closest answer would be 68.16 ft.