If a train's average speed is 30 miles per hour, how long does it take to travel 1 mile?

To determine how long it takes to travel 1 mile at an average speed of 30 miles per hour, it is helpful to start with the relationship between speed, distance, and time. The formula that connects these concepts is:

Time = Distance / Speed.

In this scenario, the distance is 1 mile, and the speed is 30 miles per hour. Plugging in these values:

Time = 1 mile / 30 miles per hour = 1/30 hours.

To convert this time into minutes, you multiply by 60 since there are 60 minutes in an hour:

(1/30) hours * 60 minutes/hour = 2 minutes.

Thus, it takes 2 minutes to travel 1 mile at a speed of 30 miles per hour. This calculation clearly illustrates why the correct answer is 2 minutes: it directly reflects the time required based on the given speed and distance.