Calculate the Exact Speed After the Truck's 7th Hour in a 15-Hour Journey

Average Speed Applications with Variable Coefficients

A truck travels for 4 hours at a speed of 30 km/h, then for 3 hours at a speed of 50 km/h.

If its average speed during 15 hours is 5X km/h, then what is its speed after the first 7 hours of travel?

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1

Understand the problem

A truck travels for 4 hours at a speed of 30 km/h, then for 3 hours at a speed of 50 km/h.

If its average speed during 15 hours is 5X km/h, then what is its speed after the first 7 hours of travel?

2

Step-by-step solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Calculate the distance traveled in the first 7 hours: 4 hours at 30 km/h, then 3 hours at 50 km/h.
  • Step 2: Calculate the total distance over 15 hours using the average speed given as 5X5X.
  • Step 3: Use this total distance to find the speed after the first 7 hours.

Now, let's work through these steps:

Step 1: Calculate the distance in the first 4 hours traveling at 30 km/h.
The distance is 30 km/h×4 hours=120 km30 \text{ km/h} \times 4 \text{ hours} = 120 \text{ km}.

Next, calculate the distance in the next 3 hours traveling at 50 km/h.
The distance is 50 km/h×3 hours=150 km50 \text{ km/h} \times 3 \text{ hours} = 150 \text{ km}.

Total distance covered in the first 7 hours is 120 km+150 km=270 km120 \text{ km} + 150 \text{ km} = 270 \text{ km}.

Step 2: Calculate total distance over 15 hours using the average speed.
The average speed is given as 5X km/h5X \text{ km/h}, thus:
Total Distance=Average Speed×Time=(5X)×15=75X km\text{Total Distance} = \text{Average Speed} \times \text{Time} = (5X) \times 15 = 75X \text{ km}.

Step 3: Determine the distance covered in the remaining 8 hours.
Remaining Distance=75X270 km\text{Remaining Distance} = 75X - 270 \text{ km}.

Since this remaining distance is covered in 8 hours, the speed after the first 7 hours of travel is:
Speed=75X2708\text{Speed} = \frac{75X - 270}{8}.

Calculating this gives:
Speed=9.375X33.75\text{Speed} = 9.375X - 33.75 km/h.

Therefore, the speed after the first 7 hours of travel is 9.375X33.759.375X - 33.75 km/h.

3

Final Answer

9.375x33.75 9.375x-33.75 km/h

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Distance Rule: Total distance equals average speed times total time
  • Technique: Set up equation: 75X = 270 + 8v where v is unknown speed
  • Check: Verify total distance matches: 270 + 8(9.375X - 33.75) = 75X ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Using average speed formula incorrectly
    Don't calculate average speed by adding all speeds and dividing by number of segments = wrong total distance! This ignores time spent at each speed. Always use distance = speed × time for each segment, then find remaining distance.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Norbert buys some new clothes.

When he gets home, he decides to work out how much each outfit cost him on average.

PriceOutfit4 T-shirts2 pairs of shorts3 pairs of pants2 sweaters45$50$80$100$210$1 coat

What answer should he come up with?

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why can't I just average the three speeds (30, 50, and the unknown)?

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Because average speed depends on time, not just the speeds themselves! The truck spends different amounts of time at each speed, so you must calculate total distance first.

What does the 5X in the average speed mean?

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The 5X represents a variable coefficient - it means the average speed is 5 times some unknown value X. This creates an algebraic relationship you can solve for.

How do I know the remaining 8 hours are at constant speed?

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The problem asks for the speed after 7 hours, implying a single constant speed for the remaining time. This is a common assumption in multi-segment motion problems.

Can I solve this without using the variable X?

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No, because the average speed is given as 5X km/h, not a specific number. The variable X is essential - your final answer will be an expression containing X.

Why do I get 9.375 instead of a whole number?

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When you divide 75 by 8, you get 9.375 (which equals 9⅜). Decimal coefficients are normal in algebra - just make sure to calculate accurately!

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