Use time units

Convert minutes to hours before multiplying by a speed.

Match the time unit

A speed of 60 km/h means 60 kilometres in one hour. At a constant speed, half the time gives half the distance.

30 minutes is 30 ÷ 60 = 1/2 hour. Distance = 60 km/h × 1/2 h = 30 km.

60 min = 1 h1515151530 min = 1/2 h60 km/h30 km
Half an hour gives half of 60 km.

Travel for three quarters of an hour

A vehicle travels at a constant 80 km/h for 45 minutes. Convert first: 45 ÷ 60 = 3/4 hour.

The distance is 80 km/h × 3/4 h = 60 km. Multiplying by 45 directly would treat minutes as hours.

60 min = 1 h1515151545 min = 3/4 h80 km/h60 km
Three quarters of an hour gives three quarters of 80 km.

Try a different journey

A vehicle travels at a constant 72 km/h for 20 minutes. Find the distance in kilometres.

Convert 20 minutes into a fraction of one hour, then multiply by the speed.

60 min = 1 h20202020 min = ? h72 km/h? km
Use the selected share of one hour.

Try it

At a constant 72 km/h, how far does a vehicle travel in 20 minutes?

  1. 24 km
  2. 36 km
Show the answer

24 km

Yes. Convert the minutes to hours: 20 ÷ 60 = 1/3 h. Then 72 km/h × 1/3 h = 24 km.

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