Final answer:
The average acceleration direction of the sailboat is backward because it's decelerating while moving forward, meaning it's losing speed in the direction it's traveling.
The sailboat's average acceleration during this voyage is backward (b).
Step-by-step explanation:
The direction of the sailboat's average acceleration during the voyage is backward based on the description you provided. The key phrases indicating this are 'decelerates in the forward direction' and 'continues to slow down in the forward direction,' which mean that the sailboat is losing speed.
Deceleration is the reduction of speed or the negative acceleration in the direction of motion, so if the boat is moving forward and decelerating, the acceleration must be in the opposite direction of the motion, which is backward.
The direction of the sailboat's average acceleration during this voyage is backward (b). Based on the given information, the boat starts by moving in the forward direction at a steady rate.
It then decelerates in the forward direction, continues to slow down in the forward direction, but with less deceleration. This indicates a change in velocity towards the opposite direction, which is backward.