On May 26, 1934, a streamlined, stainless steel diesel train called the Zephyr set the world’s nonstop long-distance speed record for trains. Its run from Denver to Chicago took 13 hours, 4 minutes, 58 seconds, and was witnessed by more than a million people along the route. The total distance traveled was 1633.8 km. What was its average speed in km/h and m/s?


To calculate the average speed of the Zephyr train, we need to use the formula for average speed:

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

### Given:
- Total distance: 1633.8 km
- Total time: 13 hours, 4 minutes, and 58 seconds

#### Step 1: Convert the total time into hours
- 4 minutes = \( \frac{4}{60} \) hours = 0.06667 hours
- 58 seconds = \( \frac{58}{3600} \) hours ≈ 0.01611 hours
- Total time in hours = \( 13 + 0.06667 + 0.01611 \) = 13.08278 hours

#### Step 2: Calculate the average speed in km/h
\[
\text{Average Speed (km/h)} = \frac{1633.8 \text{ km}}{13.08278 \text{ hours}} \approx 124.85 \text{ km/h}
\]

#### Step 3: Convert km/h to m/s
- 1 km/h = \( \frac{1000}{3600} \) m/s = 0.27778 m/s
\[
\text{Average Speed (m/s)} = 124.85 \times 0.27778 \approx 34.68 \text{ m/s}
\]

### Final Answer:
- The average speed in km/h is approximately **124.85 km/h**.
- The average speed in m/s is approximately **34.68 m/s**.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions:
1. How would the result change if the distance were shorter?
2. What was the train's speed in miles per hour (mph)?
3. How does this speed compare to modern high-speed trains?
4. If the train made a stop halfway, how would the speed calculation differ?
5. What factors influence the average speed of a train over long distances?

**Tip:** Always convert time into the same unit before using it in speed calculations.

On May 26, 1934, a streamlined, stainless steel diesel train called the Zephyr set the world’s nonstop long-distance speed record for trains. Its run from Denver to Chicago took 13 hours, 4 minutes, 58 seconds, and was witnessed by more than a million people along the route. The total distance traveled was 1633.8 km. What was its average speed in km/h and m/s?

Discover how to calculate the average speed of the Zephyr train that set a speed record in 1934, covering 1633.8 km in 13 hours, 4 minutes, and 58 seconds. Learn how to convert time and speed units in this math problem, suitable for students in Grades 9-11.

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