Question

PLEASE HELP!!! PLEASE!!!

What is my average speed if I travel x mph for t hrs and then y mph for t hrs?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Average speed =
`((x+y))/(2)` miles per hour

Explanation:

Formula to calculate the average speed of an object is,

Average speed =
`\frac{\text{Total distance covered}}{\text{Time taken to cover this distance}}`

If I travel with the speed of x mph for t hours,

Total distance covered = Speed × Time

=
`x* t`

=
`xt` miles

Similarly, if I travel with the speed y mph for t hours,

Total distance covered =
`yt` miles

Total distance covered by me =
`(xt+yt)` miles

Total time taken to cover this distance =
`t+t`

=
`2t` hours

Therefore, expression for the average speed will be,

Average speed =
`(xt+yt)/(2t)`

=
`((x+y)t)/(2t)`

=
`(x+y)/(2)` miles per hour