Computation of average speed is a trickier type of average problems. Average speed uses the formula:
Example 1:
John drove for 3 hours at a rate of 50 miles per hour and for 2 hours at 60 miles per hour. What was his average speed for the whole journey?
Solution:
Step 1: The formula for distance is
Distance = Rate × Time
Total distance = 50 × 3 + 60 × 2 = 270
Step 2: Total time = 3 + 2 = 5
Step 3: Using the formula
Answer: The average speed is 54 miles per hour.
Example 2:
In travelling from Pune to Nagpur , Rahul drove his bike for 2 hours at 60 kmph and 3 hours at 70 kmph.
Solution: We know that, Distance = Speed × Time
So, in 2 hours, distance covered = 2 × 60 = 120 km in the next 3 hours, distance covered = 3 × 70 = 210 km
Total distance covered = 120 + 210 = 330 km
Total time = 2 + 3 = 5 hrs
Avg. Speed = Total distance covered
Time taken = Avg. Speed = 330/5 = 66 kmph