silemus.

82Average speed, unequal times

Ana drove 120 miles to a city at an average speed of 40 miles per hour and drove back the same way at an average speed of 60 miles per hour. What was her average speed, in miles per hour, for the whole trip? A) 48 B) 50 C) 52 D) 100

The answer is 48, not 50, because she spends more time (3 h) at the slow speed than at the fast speed (2 h), so slow speed counts more. Average speed is total distance ÷ total time: 240 mi ÷ 5 h = 48 mph, which is option A.

How good is this answer?