Average Speed
Definition:
Average Speed is defined as:
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
Average Speed =
𝑇𝑜𝑡𝑎𝑙 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
𝐷1 + 𝐷2 + 𝐷3+...
Average Speed =
𝑇1 + 𝑇2 + 𝑇3 +...
Key Points:
1. Total Distance: The sum of all distances covered during the journey.
2. Total Time: The total duration taken to cover the distance, including any
stops or delays.
3. Units: Average speed is usually expressed in units like kilometers per hour
(km/h) or meters per second (m/s).
Cases for Average Speed :
Case 1: When distance is constant
𝐷+𝐷 2𝐷
Average Speed = =
𝑇1 + 𝑇2 𝑇1 + 𝑇2
2𝑆1𝑆2
Average Speed = 𝑆 + 𝑆
1 2
For 3 equal distance travel:
3𝑆1𝑆2𝑆3
Average Speed = 𝑆 𝑆 + 𝑆 𝑆 + 𝑆 𝑆
1 2 2 3 3 1
Case 2: When time is constant
When two D1 and D2 are covered at speeds S1 and S2, respectively the average
speed Vavg can be calculated as:
𝑆1+ 𝑆2
Average Speed =
2
Example 1: A man travels from A to B at a speed of 25 km/hr in 30 minutes.
He then travels from B to C at a speed of 45 km/hr in 30 minutes. Find the
average speed of the whole journey.
Solution:
Given:
Speed from A to B (S1) = 25 km/hr
Speed from B to C (S2) = 45 km/hr
Using the average speed formula: Time is constant,
Average speed = (S1 + S2)/2
Average speed = (25 + 45)/2
Average speed = 70/2 = 35 km/hr.
∴ The correct answer is 35 km/h.
Example 2: A person goes from Noida to Delhi at a speed of 10 km/hour.
Then, from Delhi to Haryana at a speed of 15 km/hour. If both the
distances are the same, find his average speed for the entire journey.
Solution:
Given:
Speed from Noida to Delhi (S1) = 10 km/hour
Speed from Delhi to Haryana (S2) = 15 km/hour
Formula Used:
For constant distance,
Average Speed (Vavg) = (2 x S1 x S2) / (S1 + S2)
Calculations:
Using the formula:
Vavg = (2 x 10 x 15) / (10 + 15)
=> Vavg = 300 / 25
=> Vavg = 12 km/hour.
∴ The correct answer is 12 km/h.
Example 3: A man travels from A and B at a speed of 29 km/hr in 29 min
and he travels a distance from B to C with a speed of 39 km/hr in 29 min.
Find the average speed of the whole journey.
Solution:
Given:
A man travels from A and B at a speed of 29 km/hr in 29 min and he travels a
distance from B to C with a speed of 39 km/hr in 29 min
Formula Used
Average speed = Total distance speed/total Time taken
Calculations:
Distance from A to B = 29 × 29/60
Distance from B to C = 39 × 29/60
Total Distance = 29/60(29 + 39)
= 29 × 68/60
Time taken = 2 × 29/60
Avg speed = [29 × 68/60]/[(2 × 29/60)]
= 34 kmph
∴ The correct answer is 34 km/h.
Example 4: Mohit goes to his office at the speed of 10 m/s and returns to
his home at the speed of x km/hr. If the average speed of Mohit for the
whole journey is 12 m/s, then what is the value of x?
Solution:
Given:
Speed of Mohit from his home to office = 10 m/s
Speed of Mohit from his office to home = x km/hr
Average speed of Mohit for the whole journey = 12 m/s
Concept:
Unit conversion from Km/hr to m/s, then multiply from 5/18.
Unit conversion from m/s to Km/hr, then multiply from 18/5.
Formula used:
Distance = Speed × Time
Average speed = 2 × v1 × v2/(v1 + v2)
Where v1 and v2 are the speeds of journey for equal distance
Calculation:
Average speed of Mohit = 12 × 18/5 Km/hr
Speed of Mohit from his home to office = 10 × 18/5 = 36 Km/hr
⇒ Average speed = 2 × 36 × x/(36 + x)
⇒ 12 × 18/5 = 2 × 36 × x/(36 + x)
⇒ 6 × 18 = 180 × x/(36 + x)
⇒ 6 × (36 + x) = 10x
⇒ 216 = 4x
⇒ x = 54 km/hr
∴ The correct answer is 54 km/hr.
Example 4: The ratio of the distance between two places A and B to the
distance between places B and C is 3 ∶ 5. A man travels from A and B at a
speed of x km/h and from B to C at a speed of 50 km/h. If his average
speed for the entire journey is 40 km/h, then what is the value of (x – 10) : (
x + 1)?
Solution:
Given:
The ratio of the distance between two places A and B to the distance between
places B and C = 3 : 5
A man travels from A and B at a speed = x km/hr
A man travels from B and C at a speed = 50 km/hr
His average speed for the entire journey = 40 km/hr
Formula used:
Average speed = Total distance/Total time taken
Calculation:
Let the distance between A and B to the distance between B and C be 3a and 5a
respectively
According to the question
Time taken by man to travel from A and B at a speed of x km/hr = 3a/x
Time taken by man to travel from B and C at a speed of 50 km/hr = 5a/50
⇒ a/10
Average speed of the entire journey = Total distance/Total time taken
⇒ (3a + 5a)/(3a/x + a/10) = 40
⇒ 8a/(3a/x + a/10) = 40
⇒ 8a = 40a(3/x + 1/10)
⇒ 1/5 = (30 + x)/10x
⇒ 2x = 30 + x
⇒ (2x – x) = 30
⇒ x = 30 km/hr
Now,
The value of (x – 10) : ( x + 1) = (30 – 10) : (30 + 1)
⇒ 20 : 31
∴ The correct answer is 20 : 31.
Example 5: A man travels from A to B at a speed of 36 km/hr in 74 minutes
and he travels a distance from B to C with a speed of 45 km/hr in 111
minutes. Find the average speed of the whole journey.
Solution:
Given:
A man travels from A to B at a speed of 36 km/hr in 74 minutes and he travels a
distance from B to C with a speed of 45 km/hr in 111 minutes.
Formula used:
Average speed = Total distance/Total time taken
Total Distance traveled = Speed1 x Time1 + Speed2 x Time2
Calculation:
Time taken = 74 min : 111 min [given]
Ratio of Time taken = 2 : 3
36 × 2 + 45 ×3
Average Speed = 2+3
Average Speed = 207/5
Average Speed = 41.4 km/hr
∴ The correct answer is 41.4 km/h
Example 6: A train covers 60 km at a speed of 80 km/h, 100 km at a speed
of 90 km/h, and another 140 km at a speed of 120 km/h. Find the average
speed for the complete journey.
Solution:
Given:
Distance 1 = 60 km, Speed 1 = 80 km/h
Distance 2 = 100 km, Speed 2 = 90 km/h
Distance 3 = 140 km, Speed 3 = 120 km/h
Concept Used:
To find the average speed, we need the total distance and the total time.
Formula Used:
Total distance = Distance 1 + Distance 2 + Distance 3
Total time = (Distance 1 / Speed 1) + (Distance 2 / Speed 2) + (Distance 3 /
Speed 3)
Average speed = Total distance / Total time
Calculation:
Total distance = 60 km + 100 km + 140 km
⇒ Total distance = 300 km
Total time = (60 km / 80 km/h) + (100 km / 90 km/h) + (140 km / 120 km/h)
⇒ Total time = 0.75 h + 1.11 h + 1.17 h
⇒ Total time = 3.03 hours
Average speed = Total distance / Total time
⇒ Average speed = 300 km / 3.03 hours
⇒ Average speed = 99 km/h
∴ The correct answer is 99 km/h.
Example 7: A bus traveled 2/5th of the journey with speed 30 km/h, 2/3rd
of the remaining at 45 km/h, and the rest 30 kms at 60 km/h. Find the
average speed of the bus for the whole journey.
Solution:
Given:
Speed for 1st 2/5th of distance = 30 km/h
Speed for 2/3rd of the rest = 45 km/h
speed of rest 30 km = 60 km/h
Formula used:
Speed × time = Distance traveled in given time
Average speed = (Total distance traveled)/ (Total time taken)
Calculation:
Let the total distance traveled = 15x(LCM of 5 and 3)
∴ First 2/5th of distance = (2/5) × 15x = 6x km
Distance left = 15x - 6x = 9x
2/3rd of the rest distance = (2/3) × 9x = 6x
Rest distance left = 30 km
∵ 6x + 6x + 30 = 15x
⇒ 15x - 12x = 30
⇒ 3x = 30
⇒ x = 10km
∴ Total distance = 15x
= 15 × 10 = 150 km
∴ Distance traveled with 30 km/h = 6x = 60 km
Time taken to travel 1st 30 km = 60km/30 km/h = 2 hrs
Distance traveled with 45 km/h = 6x = 60 km
Time taken to travel 45 km = 60km/45 km/h = 4/3 hrs
Time taken to travel last 30 km = 30km/60 km/h = 1/2 hrs
∴ Total time taken = (2 + 4/3 + 1/2) hrs = 23/6 hrs
∴ Average speed = 150/(23/6) km/h = 39.13 km/h
∴ The correct answer is 39.13 km/h.