A pilot's speed is defined by the formula where distance is 480 nautical miles and time is 2 hours 40 minutes. Which speed is correct?

To determine the pilot's speed, you can use the formula for speed, which is defined as distance divided by time. In this case, the distance is 480 nautical miles, and the time is given as 2 hours and 40 minutes.

First, convert the time into hours. Since 40 minutes is two-thirds of an hour (40 minutes ÷ 60 minutes/hour = 0.67 hours), the total time in hours is:

2 hours + 0.67 hours = 2.67 hours

Now, calculate the speed using the formula:

Speed = Distance / Time

Substituting the values:

Speed = 480 nautical miles / 2.67 hours ≈ 179.06 knots

When rounding to the nearest whole number, this results in approximately 180 knots. This matches the option identified as correct and is significant because it illustrates how the conversion of time impacts the calculation of speed, leading to the determination of the correct choice among the presented options.