The discussion revolves around calculating the average velocity of three individuals traveling at different speeds. The velocities provided are 10.2 m/s, 10.4 m/s, and 3.51 m/s, all in the forward direction. The original poster expresses confusion over their calculated average velocity of 8.0 m/s compared to the textbook's answer of 4.89 m/s.
Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly regarding the conditions under which the average velocity should be calculated. Some participants have offered guidance on checking assumptions about the problem statement and the direction of travel. The discussion remains open with no explicit consensus reached.
There is uncertainty about whether the individuals traveled for the same amount of time or over the same distance, which could significantly affect the average velocity calculation. The original poster insists that the velocities were copied correctly from the textbook.
Please remember to use the Homework Help Template when posting here in the schoolwork forums. Thank you.Balsam said:
berkeman said:Please remember to use the Homework Help Template when posting here in the schoolwork forums. Thank you.
Now, please show your detailed calculations so we can look for any errors.
Your work looks correct. Are you sure you copied the problem statement correctly? Are you sure they all were moving in the same direction (forward)? Are they all facing the same direction as they move?Balsam said:
Yes, I'm sure. All of the individual velocity values are given in the textbook, I copied them correctly.berkeman said:
Is there a figure that goes with the question? Can you upload a picture of the question?Balsam said:
Are these traveling for identical times OR for identical distances?Balsam said:
Try root mean square. Ans comes close.NascentOxygen said:
I figured it out-- you have to add all of their displacements to get the total displacement, then add all of their times to get the total time, and then divide those 2 numbers to get their average velocity.NascentOxygen said:
Does that get you to the book's answer?Balsam said:
Interesting...but on what basis could you justify RMS?256bits said:
Yeah, it does.NascentOxygen said:
Using your method I don't get the textbook's answer.Balsam said:
RMS doesn't give the book answer either I believe, but I was considering a velocity distribution ( 3 points ?? ).NascentOxygen said: