Final answer:
The average speed of the trip there is 25 mph.
Step-by-step explanation:
To find the average speed of the trip there, we can use the formula:
Average speed = Total distance / Total time
Since the trip there took 5 hours and the trip back took 4 hours, the total time for the round trip is 5 + 4 = 9 hours.
Let's assume the distance to the recycling plant is 'D'. Since the return trip was at an average speed of 25 mph, the distance back is 25 * 4 = 100 miles.
Therefore, the total distance for the round trip is D + 100.
Using the formula, the average speed of the round trip is:
Average speed = (D + 100) / 9
We want to find the average speed for the trip there, so we can set up the equation:
(D + 100) / 9 = (D) / 5
Cross-multiplying and simplifying the equation, we get:
5D + 500 = 9D
Subtracting 5D from both sides, we get:
500 = 4D
Dividing both sides by 4, we get:
D = 125
Therefore, the average speed of the trip there is:
Average speed = D / 5 = 125 / 5 = 25 mph