Calculate Horse Motion Problem: Vavg & Velocity

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the average speed and average velocity of a horse's motion. The horse travels 140 meters away from its trainer in 10 seconds and then gallops back halfway in 4.9 seconds. The correct average speed is calculated as 14.14 m/s, while the average velocity, considering direction, requires a vector approach. The participant initially miscalculated the average velocity due to confusion between speed and velocity as scalar and vector quantities, respectively.

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A horse canters away from its trainer in a straight line, moving 140 m away in 10.0 s. It then turns abruptly and gallops halfway back in 4.9 s.

(a) Calculate its average speed.
(b) Calculate its average velocity for the entire trip, using "away from the trainer" as the positive direction.

I got a right by Vavg=(V+Vo)/2 [(140/10)+(70/4.9)]/2 and got 14.14 m/s.
so I was thinking that for part B it would be [(140/10)-(70/4.9)]/2 and got -.143... and it is wrong...

can anyone help me?
 
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First of all ask yourself these questions: "What is an average speed?" Speed is not a vector, it's a magnitude =). What two variables does it depend on? The second asks for the average velocity for the entire trip meaning it's a vector.

Think about these and it should come a little bit more clearly.
 
thx a lot :0
 

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