Math Problem Statement

on a two-leg trip, a car travels the first leg, a distance d1=42.1mi, in t1=1.18h. it travels the second leg, a distance d2=130.7mi, in t2=2.07hr. refer to the figure.Part A) In miles per hour, what is the average speed of the car during the first leg?Part B) In miles per hour, what is the average speed of the car over the entire trip?Part C) What is the average speed for the whole trip in meters per second?

Solution

To solve these questions, we need to calculate the average speed for both parts of the trip.

Part A) Average speed during the first leg

The formula for average speed is:

Average Speed=Total DistanceTotal Time\text{Average Speed} = \frac{\text{Total Distance}}{\text{Total Time}}

For the first leg of the trip:

  • Distance d1=42.1mid_1 = 42.1 \, \text{mi}
  • Time t1=1.18ht_1 = 1.18 \, \text{h}

So, the average speed during the first leg is:

Average Speed1=42.1mi1.18h=35.68mph\text{Average Speed}_1 = \frac{42.1 \, \text{mi}}{1.18 \, \text{h}} = 35.68 \, \text{mph}

Part B) Average speed for the entire trip

For the entire trip:

  • Distance d1+d2=42.1mi+130.7mi=172.8mid_1 + d_2 = 42.1 \, \text{mi} + 130.7 \, \text{mi} = 172.8 \, \text{mi}
  • Time t1+t2=1.18h+2.07h=3.25ht_1 + t_2 = 1.18 \, \text{h} + 2.07 \, \text{h} = 3.25 \, \text{h}

The average speed over the entire trip is:

Average Speedtotal=172.8mi3.25h=53.17mph\text{Average Speed}_{\text{total}} = \frac{172.8 \, \text{mi}}{3.25 \, \text{h}} = 53.17 \, \text{mph}

Part C) Average speed in meters per second

To convert miles per hour (mph) to meters per second (m/s), we use the conversion factor:

1mph=0.44704m/s1 \, \text{mph} = 0.44704 \, \text{m/s}

So, the average speed for the whole trip in meters per second is:

Average Speedtotal=53.17mph×0.44704m/s=23.77m/s\text{Average Speed}_{\text{total}} = 53.17 \, \text{mph} \times 0.44704 \, \text{m/s} = 23.77 \, \text{m/s}

Summary of results:

  • Part A: Average speed during the first leg = 35.68mph35.68 \, \text{mph}
  • Part B: Average speed for the entire trip = 53.17mph53.17 \, \text{mph}
  • Part C: Average speed for the whole trip in meters per second = 23.77m/s23.77 \, \text{m/s}

Would you like more details on any part of the solution?


Related Questions:

  1. How would the average speed change if the time for the second leg was reduced?
  2. What would the average speed be if the first leg was shorter by 10 miles?
  3. How do you convert from kilometers per hour to meters per second?
  4. What would happen to the average speed if there were a third leg added to the trip?
  5. How does constant speed differ from average speed?

Tip: When converting units, always double-check the conversion factors to ensure accuracy!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Speed Calculation
Unit Conversion
Averages

Formulas

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time
1 mph = 0.44704 m/s

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

Grades 6-8