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Basic Math/odometer in a car

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Expert: Josh - 9/24/2004


Question
How much does an odometer mark when a car is driven for one mile?

Answer
Hi Wendy,

I'm not sure what you mean by "mark".
But the following article on gear ratio may answer your question.

Extract from [http://auto.howstuffworks.com/odometer.htm]

Mechanical odometers have been counting the miles for centuries. Although they are a dying breed, they are incredibly cool because they are so simple! A mechanical odometer is nothing more than a gear train with an incredible gear ratio.

If an odometer has a 1690:1 gear reduction, then, the input shaft has to spin 1,690 times before the odometer will register 1 mile.

Odometers like this are being replaced by digital odometers that provide more features and cost less, but they aren't nearly as cool.

If you would like to see some pictures and find out more, go to http://auto.howstuffworks.com/odometer1.htm

Cheers.

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Josh

Expertise

When I work through problems, I like to emphasize concepts which I believe are worth noting. I will try to answer questions in the following areas, but not at the advanced level. Algebra. Sequences & Series. Trigonometry. Functions & Graphs. Coordinate Geometry. Quadratic Polynomials. Exponential & Logarithms. Basic Calculus. Probability, Permutation and Combination. Mathematical Induction. Complex numbers. Physics problems.

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I have worked as a teaching assistant in college. My hope is that more people will share knowledge without boundary, give help without seeking recognition or monetary rewards.

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Bachelor degree in Engineering Science

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