SUMMER TRAVEL

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Summary– In this issue of Math in the News we look at different

variables involved in vacation planning• Solve speed-distance-time equations

SUMMER FUN

Summer is a great time to travel. The weather is great (in most places), kids are out of school, and work slows down.

Where do you think most people travel during the summer?

VACATION STATISTICS

Click on these vides to learn some interesting vacation-related information:

• USA Today Videohttp://www.usatoday.com/videos/travel/2015/05/22/27782803/

• Travel Channel Videohttp://www.travelchannel.com/interests/travels-best/articles/travels-best-family-adventures-2015

NOTE: The videos include ads.

MOST POPULAR SUMMER VACATION DESTINATIONS

The most popular summer travel destinations are as follows…

FloridaCaliforniaNew York

North CarolinaNevada

What do you think draws people to these places?

Source http://www.statisticbrain.com/summer-vacation-travel-statistics/

HOW DO PEOPLE GET TO THEIR VACATION DESTINATIONS?

Most families drive to their summer vacation destination. Why do you think that is?

The average distance traveled is 284 miles one-way.

Source http://www.statisticbrain.com/summer-vacation-travel-statistics/

DRIVING FROM A TO Z

Example Problem

Suppose you are from Arlington, Virginia, and you and your family are taking a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina. How long would it take you to get there?

Relevant infoDistance: 397.4 MilesAverage speed: 60 miles per hour

Solution397.4 ÷ 60 = 6.6 hours

It would take 6.6 hours to drive to Charlotte from Arlington.

WHAT ELSE MATTERS?

What other variables contribute to how long it takes to arrive at a destination?

• Number of Stops• The amount of time spent at each stop• Other delays

FROM DC TO DISNEY

Other variables besides distance and speed do factor into travel time. Take a look at the example below. The Rasha family is taking a summer vacation from Washington, DC, to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Google Maps says the distance is 862 miles and will take 12 hours and 22 minutes.

FROM DC TO DISNEY

ProblemWhat is the average speed they will travel, according to Google Maps?

Solution862 miles ÷ 12.37 hours = 69.68 mph

Other ConsiderationsHow many stops would a family of 4 might need to take? For how long would they stop?

What would be a more realistic estimate of how long it would take for the Rasha family to get to Disneyland? What would the average speed be?

PLAN A VACATION!

Answer the following questions to start a vacation-planning exercise.

Where do you live? ________________

Where would you like to go? ________________

How many miles is that place from where you live? _________

Use Google Maps to plan a driving trip to your destination.