What is the Acceleration of a Cheetah Reaching Full Speed in 3 Strides?

[hiddenlife5009]

Homework Statement

A cheetah, the fastest of all land animals over a short distance, can accelerate from zero to 18.0 m/s in three strides and to a full speed of 31.3 m/s in seconds. Assuming the first three strides are each 4.1 m long and that acceleration is constant until the cheetah reaches full speed, what is the cheetah's acceleration (in m/s2)?

Homework Equations

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The Attempt at a Solution

It is a basic question, but I am over looking something because I cannot figure out which equation I should use. From what I know, I need time to find out what the acceleration is, but no time variable is stated. The question also gives you the stride lengths which just confuses me even more.

 

[Doc Al]

You should write out all the kinematic equations you know. Given the right equation, you won't need the time. But you can find the time by considering the average speed.

 

[hiddenlife5009]

You should write out all the kinematic equations you know. Given the right equation, you won't need the time. But you can find the time by considering the average speed.

Thanks for the help, I have worked it out now.