Time on the track

Time on the track

Pencil and paper
Overview
Using this Resource
Connecting to the Curriculum
Marking Student Responses
Further Resources
This task is about distance, speed and time.

basic pathway showing points A b C D and E along railway tracks

 
The diagram above shows a railway line. The distance between each circular marker is 1 kilometre. There are 5 stations on the line, A, B, C, D, and E, each marked with an X.

An inspection railcar (jigger) travels from A to E at a steady speed checking the tracks, without stopping at any station. It starts at 9.00 a.m. and takes an hour to do the whole journey.
 

a) How many kilometres is it from A to E? __________ km
 
b) What is the average speed of the jigger? __________ km/h
 
c) Complete this table, showing the time the jigger passes through each of stations B, C, and D:
 
Station Time
A 9:00 a.m.
B  
C  
D  
E
10:00 a.m.
 
d)		  
Which of the following expressions describes how many kilometres from A the jigger is, t minutes after leaving?
 
  (A)
(B)
(C)
(D)
(E)		 t/5
t/2
t – 4
5t
12t
Task administration: 
This task is completed with pencil and paper only.
Copyright: 
NZCER sketch
Levels:
4, 5
Curriculum info: 
Maths, Number and Algebra, Number Strategies
Keywords: 
rates, speed, time
Description of task: 
Students answer questions about distance, speed and time, and identify an expression that describes the distance (kilometres) from the starting point in terms of time (minutes).
Learning Progression Frameworks
This resource can provide evidence of learning associated with
Multiplicative thinking, sets 6-7
Multiplicative thinking, sets 8-9
within the Mathematics Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Read more about the Learning Progressions Frameworks.
Answers/responses: 
 

Y8 (06/1996)

Y9 (06/1996)
a) 12 easy easy
b) 12 difficult moderate
c) B = 9:25 a.m.
C = 9:35 a.m.
D = 9:45 a.m.		 difficult
(for all correct)		 difficult
(for all correct)
d) A very difficult very difficult