Average Speed Homework: Answer Check

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SUMMARY

The average speed homework problem involves walking for 1 minute at 1.5 m/s and then for another minute at 4 m/s. The correct approach to find the average speed is to calculate the total distance traveled and divide it by the total time. The total distance is 2.5 meters (1.5 m + 4 m) and the total time is 120 seconds. Therefore, the average speed is 0.02083 m/s, not 2.75 m/s or 0.0459 m/s as previously calculated.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of average speed calculation
  • Basic knowledge of unit conversion (minutes to seconds)
  • Familiarity with distance and time relationships
  • Ability to perform arithmetic operations with decimals
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the formula for average speed: total distance divided by total time
  • Practice unit conversion techniques, especially for time
  • Explore examples of average speed problems in physics
  • Learn about the implications of speed in real-world scenarios
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics or mathematics, educators teaching average speed concepts, and anyone looking to improve their problem-solving skills in basic motion problems.

joe215
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Homework Statement


You walk for 1 min. at a speed of 1.5 m/s and then for 1 min at 4 m/s in a straight line. What is your average speed?


The Attempt at a Solution



(1.5 m/s + 4 m/s) / 2= 2.75 m/s

Am I right? This is a very simple problem but I just want to double check myself.
 
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You would have to convert the minutes to seconds, so convert the 2 minutes into seconds and you get 120 seconds.

Then you divide 5.5m/s by 120 s and get 0.0459 m/s
 

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