Average Speed Challenge: Running 2 Meters per Second with Rest

Question

Gary runs at a speed of 2 meters per second for 2 minutes, then stops for a minute and runs again for 2 minutes at the same speed.

What is the average speed?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's begin solving this problem by following the outlined steps:

  • **Step 1**: Convert the time to seconds.
    Running time for each interval = 2 minutes=2×60=120 seconds2 \text{ minutes} = 2 \times 60 = 120 \text{ seconds}.
    Rest time = 1 minute=60 seconds1 \text{ minute} = 60 \text{ seconds}.
  • **Step 2**: Calculate the distance covered during each running interval.
    Distance for the first interval, d1=2 m/s×120 s=240 metersd_1 = 2 \text{ m/s} \times 120 \text{ s} = 240 \text{ meters}.
    Distance for the second interval, d2=2 m/s×120 s=240 metersd_2 = 2 \text{ m/s} \times 120 \text{ s} = 240 \text{ meters}.
  • **Step 3**: Determine the total distance and total time.
    Total distance, D=d1+d2=240 m+240 m=480 metersD = d_1 + d_2 = 240 \text{ m} + 240 \text{ m} = 480 \text{ meters}.
    Total time, T=120 s+60 s+120 s=300 secondsT = 120 \text{ s} + 60 \text{ s} + 120 \text{ s} = 300 \text{ seconds}.
  • **Step 4**: Calculate the average speed. Average speed=Total distanceTotal time=480 m300 s=1.6 meters/second \text{Average speed} = \frac{\text{Total distance}}{\text{Total time}} = \frac{480 \text{ m}}{300 \text{ s}} = 1.6 \text{ meters/second}

Thus, Gary's average speed is 1.61.6 meters per second.

Answer

1.6 1.6 meters per second