Math Problem Statement

car completes journey 40 km/h how much speed does it need to be on returnjourney to make the average 60km/h of both journeys

Solution

To solve this problem, let's denote the following:

  • S1=40S_1 = 40 km/h (speed during the first part of the journey)
  • S2S_2 = speed needed during the return journey
  • Average Speed=60\text{Average Speed} = 60 km/h
  • dd = distance for each leg of the journey (same distance both ways)

The formula for average speed when the total distance is the same for both parts of the journey is:

Average Speed=2×S1×S2S1+S2\text{Average Speed} = \frac{2 \times S_1 \times S_2}{S_1 + S_2}

Given that the average speed should be 60 km/h, we can plug in the values:

60=2×40×S240+S260 = \frac{2 \times 40 \times S_2}{40 + S_2}

Now, solve for S2S_2:

  1. Multiply both sides by 40+S240 + S_2:

60×(40+S2)=2×40×S260 \times (40 + S_2) = 2 \times 40 \times S_2

  1. Distribute and simplify:

2400+60S2=80S22400 + 60S_2 = 80S_2

  1. Move all terms involving S2S_2 to one side:

2400=80S260S22400 = 80S_2 - 60S_2

2400=20S22400 = 20S_2

  1. Solve for S2S_2:

S2=240020=120 km/hS_2 = \frac{2400}{20} = 120 \text{ km/h}

So, the car needs to travel at 120 km/h on the return journey to achieve an average speed of 60 km/h for the entire trip.

Would you like more details or have any questions?

Here are five related questions:

  1. What if the average speed required was 50 km/h instead?
  2. How does the time taken for each leg of the journey relate to the speeds?
  3. What happens to the average speed if the return journey speed is less than the first journey?
  4. Can you calculate the total time taken for the journey with these speeds?
  5. How would the problem change if the distances for the two parts of the journey were different?

Tip: Remember, when calculating average speed over two legs of a journey with different speeds, it’s not simply the arithmetic mean of the two speeds. Instead, it's based on the total distance and total time.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Average Speed
Speed, Distance, Time Relationships

Formulas

Average Speed formula

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12