Solve Average Speed Problem: How to Qualify for a Race with Engine Trouble?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a racecar driver needing to average a specific speed over multiple laps to qualify for a race, despite experiencing engine trouble that affects the speed during the initial laps. The subject area pertains to average speed and velocity calculations in kinematics.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the need to calculate average speed using total distance and total time rather than averaging speeds from segments. Some suggest simplifying assumptions, such as defining lap distance, to facilitate calculations.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the problem with various interpretations of how to approach the calculations. Some participants have provided numerical examples and corrections regarding significant figures, while others express understanding of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of significant figures in reporting results and discuss the implications of rounding in the context of the problem. There is also mention of the need for clarity regarding the definitions of average speed and average velocity.

majinknight
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Hi I am having problem with this question and keep getting the wrong answer.

1. A racecar driver must average 200km/h for four laps to qualify for a race. Because of engine trouble, the car averages only 170km/h over the first two laps. What average speed must be maintained for the last two laps?

Ok what i had done is this:

200=(170 +x)/2
x=230km/h
Well my teacher said this is wrong and that we need to think of this question in terms of Vavg=(d1 +d2)/(t1+t2) to figure it out but i don't understand how to do that since we don't have time or distance. Apparently we are to try and think of an equation that will have constant terms cancelling each other out to get the right answer but i can't figure it out. If anyone could show me how to do this question i would appreciate it greatly!
 
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Consider for simplicity that one lap is 200Km long...(Though it sounds unreasonably more).Then u can compute times,distances & average velocities.
Question:What is then (in this simple numerical case) the condition to qualify...??

Daniel.
 
Remember, average speed is distance/time.
 
To be more strict,average velocity is total distance divded by total time and NOT THE AVERAGE OF VELOCITIES ON PARTS OF THE TRAJECTORY...

Do the calculations for the # that I've offered...

Daniel.
 
The answer should be roughly 243Km/h...


Daniel.
 
Ok you i figured out what u meant and i got an answer of 242.8658km/h so you thanks, i understand completely now.
 
majinknight said:
Ok you i figured out what u meant and i got an answer of 242.8658km/h so you thanks, i understand completely now.

Careful with sigfigs though.
 
vsage said:
Careful with sigfigs though.

He probably rounded the result and wound up with 7 sign.figures.Seriously now,if the velocities are given with 3 sign.figures,then the result must be given with the same accuracy.Therefore 243Kmhr^{-1} is the correct one.

Daniel.
 
Oh don't worry i have my significiant digits correct, like i didnt write them correct on here but on my sheet i have them correct.
 

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