Final answer:
Ben's average speed during his run is calculated by dividing the total distance (4.8 kilometers) by the total time (0.3 hours), resulting in an average speed of 16 kilometers per hour.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate Ben's average speed during his running exercise, we will use the formula for average speed, which is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. Ben runs 1.6 kilometers east and then 3.2 kilometers north. Therefore, the total distance he covers is 1.6 km + 3.2 km, which equals 4.8 kilometers. The total time he takes is 18 minutes. To find the average speed, we need to work with consistent units, so we'll convert the time to hours first. Since there are 60 minutes in an hour, 18 minutes is the same as 0.3 hours (18 ÷ 60).
To find the average speed, we divide the total distance by the total time:
Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time
= 4.8 km / 0.3 hours
= 16 km/h.
Therefore, Ben's average speed while running was 16 kilometers per hour.