Final answer:
Trent is four times faster than Lois at delivering newspapers, as he can complete the task in 10 minutes while it takes Lois 40 minutes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In comparing the speeds of two individuals performing a task, such as delivering newspapers, the time taken to complete the task is a key metric. In this scenario, Trent can deliver newspapers in 10 minutes, while Lois requires 40 minutes for the same job. To assess and compare their speeds, the ratio of their completion times is analyzed.
Trent's time of 10 minutes is 1/4 of Lois' time of 40 minutes, indicating that Trent is four times faster than Lois. The ratio serves as a direct comparison of their speeds, suggesting that Trent can complete the delivery task more rapidly than Lois. This understanding aligns with the idea that speed is inversely proportional to time; the shorter the time to complete a task, the higher the speed.
To conceptualize this, one can consider the analogy of distance being a fixed quantity in the task of delivering newspapers. If Trent and Lois cover the same distance but Trent does so in 1/4 of the time, it logically follows that Trent's speed is four times that of Lois. This reasoning is consistent with the principles of speed, time, and distance, illustrating that Trent's efficiency in delivering newspapers surpasses Lois', making him four times faster.
In conclusion, the comparison of completion times provides a clear understanding of the relative speeds of Trent and Lois in delivering newspapers. Trent's ability to finish the task in a quarter of the time it takes Lois establishes him as four times faster, showcasing the effectiveness of this analytical approach in evaluating and comparing speeds in various scenarios.