Final answer:
The average speed of the plane from Chicago to Los Angeles was 300 miles per hour, calculated by dividing the distance of 1500 miles by the travel time of 5 hours.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the average speed of the plane for the trip from Chicago to Los Angeles, we need to divide the total distance traveled by the total time taken.
The plane traveled 1500 miles, and the time taken can be calculated by finding the difference between the departure time and the arrival time. The plane left at 8:00 am and arrived at 1:00 pm, which is a duration of 5 hours. Therefore:
Average Speed = Total Distance ÷ Total Time
Average Speed = 1500 miles ÷ 5 hours
Average Speed = 300 miles/hour
This calculation shows the plane's average speed was 300 miles per hour during its trip.