Math Using Speedometers

Speed has vast appeal to our students. It embodies risk, excitement, prowess and fun. Speedometers, a basic speed meter that displays instantaneous speed, also offers many applications for educators to teach math. Here are just a few…

Basic Addition & Subtraction while reading meters:

The speed limit for highway 95 is                         Your vehicle is traveling at

What is the difference between the two speeds?

Integer Addition:

Using the same question above, state the difference between the two speeds as a positive integer if speeding and a negative integer if below the speed limit (or vice versa if you would like)

Percentage Above or Below:

--Using the difference in the posted speed and the actual speed, calculate the percentage of difference.

--Using the percentage difference and the posted speed, calculate the actual speed

Elementary Hypothesis Testing:

Based on the error rates of speedometers, what is the likelihood that the car traveling 1 mph over the speed limit is actually speeding?