Final answer:
The record-setting hikers who completed the 2158-mile Appalachian Trail in 52 days, averaging 3 mph, hiked approximately 13.83 hours each day.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the average hours per day the record-setting hikers spent on the Appalachian Trail, we can use the information provided. The Appalachian Trail is 2158 miles long, and the record for completing this hike is 52 days. If the hikers averaged 3 mph, we can first calculate the total hours taken to complete the trail by dividing the total distance by the average speed:
Total Hours = Total Distance / Average Speed
= 2158 miles / 3 mph
= 719.33 hours (rounded to two decimal places)
Next, we divide the total hours by the number of days to find the average number of hours hiked per day:
Average Hours per Day = Total Hours / Number of Days
= 719.33 hours / 52 days
= 13.83 hours per day (rounded to two decimal places)
Therefore, the average number of hours the record-setting hikers spent hiking each day on the Appalachian Trail is approximately 13.83 hours.