Average speed of a journey
A car covers 40 km, then 50 km, then 60 km. Each takes one hour. What speed describes the trip?
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The idea
Average speed is the total distance divided by the total time.
Step 1 of 3
- Three hours: 40 km, 50 km, 60 km.
- Total: 150 km in 3 h.
- 150 ÷ 3 = 50 km/h.
The car did not move at 50 km/h all the time. Average speed gives one number for the whole trip.
An odometer counts the distance a vehicle has travelled. A speedometer shows how fast the vehicle goes now.
Watch out!
When the times differ, do not add the speeds and divide. Divide the total distance by the total time.