An airplane travels 300 mi/h south for 2.0 hour and then at 250 mi/h north of 750 miles. What is the average speed for the trip?

1 Answer
Jun 14, 2017

270 mi/hr

Explanation:

Average speed = total distance / total time taken.

To south,
Velocity, v_1 = 300, time, t_1 =2 hrs

Distance, D_1 = v_1 * t_1 = 300 * 2 = 600 miles

To north,
Velocity, v_2 = 250, distance, D2 =750 miles

Time, t_2 = D_2/V_2 = 750/250 = 3 hrs

Average speed = (D_1 + D_2) /(t_1 + t_2).

= (600 + 750)/(2 + 3) = 1350/5 = 270 mi/hr