The following word problem is for practicing the application of calculations.

Example 3:

The speed of sound is approximately 700 miles per hour. What is this value in kilometers per second?

To solve this problem, convert kilometers per hour to miles per hour by using the conversion that gives kilometers in terms of miles. Multiply the number of miles by the conversion factor to get the kilometers per hour. Then divide kilometers per hour by 1 second multiplied by the number of seconds per hour.

Conversion factors: miles × 1.609 = kilometers
                              hours × 3600 = seconds
                    

700 × 1.609 = kilometers/hour
700 × 1.609 = 1126.3
1126.3 ÷ (1 × 3600) = kilometers/second
1126.3 ÷ (1 × 3600) = .313

The speed of sound is approximately .313 kilometers per second.