Real-Life Math -- Solution
You are a glaciologist taking a break from your research to give a lecture to the public about the importance of ice. Before you give the lecture, you want to make sure that the facts are easily understandable. You make a few calculations:
1. The Kutiah Glacier in Pakistan holds the record for the fastest glacial surge. In 1953, it moved more than 7 miles in 93 days. On average, how many yards per day did it move?
7 miles x 1,760 yards per mile = 12,320 yards
12,320 yards / 93 days = 132.47 yards per day
The glacier moved, on average, about 132 yards per day.
2. Antarctic ice is more than 13,779 feet thick in some spots. How many miles thick is the ice?
13,779 feet / 3 feet per yard = 4,593 yards
4,593 yards / 1,760 yards per mile = 2.61 miles
Antarctic ice is more than 4.2 km thick in some spots!