Calculate Average Velocity for Suzy's Jog

[VenaCava]

When calculating an average velocity in a problem containing multiple velocities each occurring for different lengths of time, would I be correct in calculating the total displacement and then dividing by the total time?

For example:
Suzy goes for a jog one day. She runs at an average velocity 3 m/s north for 2 minutes and then an average velocity of 5m/s south for 3 minutes. What is her average velocity?
I believe it would be solved like this:

d=vt = (3m/s)(120s) =360m
d=vt = (-5m/s)(180s)=-900m

total d = 360m + (-900m) =-540m
total t =300s

Average V = -540m/300s = -1.8m/s

Thank you.

 

[LowlyPion]

When calculating an average velocity in a problem containing multiple velocities each occurring for different lengths of time, would I be correct in calculating the total displacement and then dividing by the total time?

For example:
Suzy goes for a jog one day. She runs at an average velocity 3 m/s north for 2 minutes and then an average velocity of 5m/s south for 3 minutes. What is her average velocity?
I believe it would be solved like this:

d=vt = (3m/s)(120s) =360m
d=vt = (-5m/s)(180s)=-900m

total d = 360m + (-900m) =-540m
total t =300s

Average V = -540m/300s = -1.8m/s

Thank you.

Welcome to PF.

Velocity is treated as a vector and that's right.
Average speed would have been different, but I think you know that already.

Good luck.