Average Speed Calculation

What is average speed and how is it calculated?

During a track meet, Sarah ran 400m in 80s. What was her average speed?

Average Speed Calculation

Speed is the amount of distance traveled in a given amount of time. Sarah ran 400m in 80s, so her speed can be calculated using the formula:

Speed = Distance / Time

Substitute the values into the formula:

Speed = 400m / 80s = 5.0 m/s

When we talk about average speed, we look at the total distance covered divided by the total time taken to cover that distance. In Sarah's case, she covered 400 meters in 80 seconds.

The calculation is straightforward: 400 meters divided by 80 seconds gives an average speed of 5.0 meters per second. This means that, on average, Sarah was running at a speed of 5.0 meters per second during the track meet.

Understanding average speed is important in various fields, such as physics, sports, and everyday calculations involving distances and time. It allows us to determine how fast or slow something is moving over a period of time.