How many minutes are equivalent to 2,400 seconds? 60 text{ seconds} = 1 text{ minute}0.02524402,460

1. TRANSLATE the problem information

• Given information:
  • 2,400 seconds to convert
  • Conversion factor: \(60 \text{ seconds} = 1 \text{ minute}\)
• What we need to find: equivalent number of minutes

2. INFER the conversion strategy

• Since we're converting from a smaller unit (seconds) to a larger unit (minutes), we need to divide
• The conversion factor tells us there are 60 seconds in every 1 minute
• Therefore: divide the number of seconds by 60

3. SIMPLIFY the calculation

• Set up the division: \(2{,}400 \div 60\)
• Perform the calculation: \(2{,}400 \div 60 = 40\)
• Therefore: \(2{,}400 \text{ seconds} = 40 \text{ minutes}\)

Answer: C) 40

Why Students Usually Falter on This Problem

Most Common Error Path:

Weak INFER skill: Students may not recognize which operation to use for unit conversion. They might think "bigger number means multiply" and calculate \(2{,}400 \times 60\), getting a huge answer, or they might divide backwards (\(60 \div 2{,}400 = 0.025\)).

The backwards division error would lead them to select Choice A (0.025).

Second Most Common Error:

Conceptual confusion about conversion direction: Students may add the conversion factor instead of using it properly, calculating \(2{,}400 + 60 = 2{,}460\).

This may lead them to select Choice D (2,460).

The Bottom Line:

Unit conversion problems require understanding the relationship between units and applying the correct operation. The key insight is that converting from smaller to larger units means fewer of the larger units, so you divide.