Around the World in 80 Days

March 2024

Adapted by Jessica Romeo • Illustrated by Rod Espinosa

BACKGROUND: In 1873, French author Jules Verne wrote this classic adventure novel. Back then, there were no airplanes, and traveling by train was relatively new. As you read, use the rate equation to learn about Fogg’s epic race. Round your answers to the nearest hundredth when necessary. Use the online answer sheet to record your answers.

Phileas Fogg (left) and Jean Passepartout (right)

British gentleman Phileas Fogg has just made an extraordinary wager. He bet 20,000 pounds (about $3.6 million today) that he can complete a trip around the world in only 80 days. To win, Fogg must return to the Reform Club in London, England, by 8:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 21, 1872.

USING THE RATE EQUATION

The rate equation is a formula that shows the relationship between distance, rate, and time. When you know two of the three, you can use them to find the unknown value.

Distance = Rate × Time

LONDON to ROME:
The train travels 20 hours at a rate of 10 miles per hour. How far does the train travel?

ROME to SUEZ to MUMBAI (Formerly called Bombay):
Fogg and Passepartout take two steamships on this leg of the trip. They travel 1,520 miles from Italy to Suez in 4 days. From Suez to Mumbai, they travel 3,677 miles in 13 days. What’s each ship’s rate of speed? Which is faster?

MUMBAI to KOLKATA (Formerly called Calcutta):
The elephant needs to carry the group and their guide through 50 miles of jungle. What average rate in miles per hour must the elephant walk to reach Kolkata in just 2 days?

YOKOHAMA to SAN FRANCISCO:
The 6,775-mile-long journey takes about 22 days by boat. How many miles is the boat traveling per day?

SAN FRANCISCO to NEW YORK CITY:
The train ride across America covers 3,786 miles and takes 7 days. How many miles does the train travel per day?

B. Before the railroad was built, the journey from San Francisco to New York took about 180 days. What was the rate of speed for travelers back then?

NEW YORK CITY to LONDON:
The small steamship would normally cross the 3,994 miles of Atlantic Ocean in 13 days. What is the ship’s usual rate of speed?

B. Fogg wants to cross the Atlantic Ocean as fast as possible by burning more fuel. The ship’s engineer pushes the speed up to 440 miles per day. How long does it take?

Phileas Fogg and his friends traveled a total of about 26,000 miles during his 80-day journey around the world. What was their average speed in miles per day for the trip?