
Shortcut Trick
For equal distances, assume the distance to be the LCM of the given speeds (12, 18, 24, 36) = 72 km.
Total time taken for 4 segments = (72 ÷ 12) + (72 ÷ 18) + (72 ÷ 24) + (72 ÷ 36) = 6 + 4 + 3 + 2 = 15 hours.
Total assumed distance = 4 × 72 = 288 km.
Average speed = Total Distance ÷ Total Time = 288 ÷ 15 = 19.2 km/hr.
∴ The correct answer is 19.2 km/hr.

Alternate Method
Given:
Four equal successive distances = 8 km each
Speeds for each segment = 12 km/hr, 18 km/hr, 24 km/hr, and 36 km/hr
Formula Used:
Average Speed = Total Distance ÷ Total Time
Time = Distance ÷ Speed
8 km
8 km
8 km
8 km
12 km/hr
18 km/hr
24 km/hr
36 km/hr
t₁ = 8/12 h
t₂ = 8/18 h
t₃ = 8/24 h
t₄ = 8/36 h
Total Distance = 32 km
Average Speed = Total Distance ÷ Total Time
Calculations:
⇒ Total Distance = 8 + 8 + 8 + 8 = 32 km
⇒ Total Time = (8 ÷ 12) + (8 ÷ 18) + (8 ÷ 24) + (8 ÷ 36)
⇒ Total Time = 2/3 + 4/9 + 1/3 + 2/9
⇒ Total Time = (2/3 + 1/3) + (4/9 + 2/9)
⇒ Total Time = 1 + 6/9 = 1 + 2/3 = 5/3 hours
⇒ Average Speed = 32 ÷ (5/3)
⇒ Average Speed = (32 × 3) ÷ 5 = 96 ÷ 5
⇒ Average Speed = 19.2 km/hr
∴ The correct answer is 19.2 km/hr.

Additional Information
Concept of Average Speed
Average speed is always calculated as Total Distance ÷ Total Time. It is not the simple arithmetic mean of the given speeds unless the time traveled at each speed is exactly identical.
Average Speed for Two Equal Distances
If a person travels two equal halves of a journey at speeds x and y, the average speed is given directly by the formula: (2 × x × y) ÷ (x + y).
Average Speed for Three Equal Distances
If a person travels three equal parts of a journey at speeds x, y, and z, the average speed is calculated as: (3 × x × y × z) ÷ (xy + yz + zx).