450-Meter Relay Race: Calculate Average Speed for Three Runners

Q: Why can't I just average the three individual speeds?

Because the runners took different amounts of time! Averaging speeds only works when each segment takes the same time. Since they ran for 1.5, 1.35, and 1.42 minutes, you must use total distance ÷ total time.

Q: Do I need to convert minutes to seconds?

Yes, for the final answer! Speed is usually expressed in meters per second. Convert: 4.27 minutes × 60 = 256.2 seconds, then 450m ÷ 256.2s = 1.76 m/s.

Q: How do I know if 1.76 m/s is reasonable?

Think about it: 1.76 m/s means moving about 1.8 meters every second. That's a brisk walking pace, which makes sense for a 450-meter relay race taking over 4 minutes total.

Q: What's the difference between average speed and average velocity?

Average speed uses total distance traveled. Average velocity uses displacement (straight-line distance). For this relay race on a track, they're the same since we only care about the 450-meter distance.

Average Speed with Multiple Time Periods

In a relay race, three runners run one after another on a 450-meter track.

The first runner finishes in 1.5 minutes.

The second runner finishes in 1.35 minutes.

The third runner finishes in 1.42 minutes.

What is the average speed of the relay runners?

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Final Answer

$5.3$ meters per second

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic

Formula: Average speed equals total distance divided by total time
Technique: Add all times: 1.5 + 1.35 + 1.42 = 4.27 minutes
Check: Convert to seconds and verify: 450m ÷ 256.2s = 1.76 m/s ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors

Finding individual speeds then averaging them
Don't calculate each runner's speed (3.33, 3.70, 3.52) then average = 3.52 m/s! This ignores that runners ran for different times. Always use total distance divided by total time for true average speed.

Practice Quiz

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What is the average speed according to the data?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just average the three individual speeds?

Because the runners took different amounts of time! Averaging speeds only works when each segment takes the same time. Since they ran for 1.5, 1.35, and 1.42 minutes, you must use total distance ÷ total time.

Do I need to convert minutes to seconds?

Yes, for the final answer! Speed is usually expressed in meters per second. Convert: 4.27 minutes × 60 = 256.2 seconds, then 450m ÷ 256.2s = 1.76 m/s.

What if the question asked for speed in different units?

Always check what units the answer choices use! You might need meters per minute instead. For this problem: 450m ÷ 4.27 min = 105.4 m/min.

How do I know if 1.76 m/s is reasonable?

Think about it: 1.76 m/s means moving about 1.8 meters every second. That's a brisk walking pace, which makes sense for a 450-meter relay race taking over 4 minutes total.

What's the difference between average speed and average velocity?

Average speed uses total distance traveled. Average velocity uses displacement (straight-line distance). For this relay race on a track, they're the same since we only care about the 450-meter distance.

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