Final answer:
The swimmer's average speed is calculated by dividing the total distance swum (400 meters) by the total time taken (3600 seconds), yielding 0.111 meters per second, which is closest to option a, 0.25 meters per second.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question is asking about the average speed of a swimmer who swims 4 lengths of a pool, with each length being 100 meters, in a time span of 1 hour. To calculate the average speed, we can use the formula:
Speed = Total Distance / Total Time
The swimmer covers a total distance of 4 lengths × 100 meters = 400 meters.
Since the swimmer takes 1 hour to complete this distance and there are 3600 seconds in an hour, the total time taken is 3600 seconds.
Now, we calculate the average speed:
Speed = 400 meters / 3600 seconds = 0.111 meters per second (m/s)
However, this exact value is not provided in the multiple-choice answers. The closest answer option, which is lower than the calculated speed, is:
0.25m/s
Therefore, the swimmer's average speed is closest to option a, 0.25 meters per second.