A man walks km at km/h and then runs km at km/h. What is his average speed?
- AOption (a)
- BOption (b)
- COption (c)
- DOption (d)
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Correct answer
Why this answer is correct
Shortcut Trick
Average speed = (Total distance) ÷ (Total time)
Total Distance = 10 + 20 = 30 km
Total Time = (10 ÷ 5) + (20 ÷ 10) = 2 + 2 = 4 hours
Average Speed = 30 ÷ 4 = 7.5 km/h
∴ The correct answer is 7.5 km/h.
Alternate Method
Given:
Distance1 (d1) = 10 km, Speed1 (s1) = 5 km/h
Distance2 (d2) = 20 km, Speed2 (s2) = 10 km/h
Formula Used:
Time = Distance ÷ Speed
Average Speed = (d1 + d2) ÷ (t1 + t2)
⇒ Time taken for the first part (t1) = 10 ÷ 5 = 2 hours
⇒ Time taken for the second part (t2) = 20 ÷ 10 = 2 hours
⇒ Total Time = t1 + t2 = 2 + 2 = 4 hours
⇒ Total Distance = d1 + d2 = 10 + 20 = 30 km
⇒ Average Speed = 30 ÷ 4 = 7.5 km/h
∴ The correct answer is 7.5 km/h.
Additional Information
Equal Distance Case
If a person covers two equal distances at speeds x and y, then Average Speed = 2xy ÷ (x + y).
Equal Time Case
If a person travels for two equal time intervals at speeds x and y, then Average Speed = (x + y) ÷ 2.
Unit Conversion
To convert km/h to m/s, multiply by 5/18. To convert m/s to km/h, multiply by 18/5.