View Full Version : Speed Formula
Ella_Lanai
Nov 16, 2007, 03:38 PM
I'm just curious if you would use the same formula for this problem as any other speed problem. Distance traveled/time elapsed Time = distance/speed
Question: Sheerwood is a bicyclist. He makes a daily ride of 40mph at a constant speed. If he trains hard, he can increase his speed by 4 mph, which would result in a half-hour decrease in time. Find his new speed.
40mph/4mph ? 10mph
galactus
Nov 16, 2007, 04:37 PM
You said he travels at 40 mph. If he increases his speed by 4 mph he is going 44 mph.
I assume you mean he pedals 40 miles, not 40 mph?
Going with that:
Let his original rate be rt=40... [1]
He increases his speed by 4 and his time decreases by 1/2 hr.
(r+4)(t-1/2)=40... [2]
From [1], we see that t=40/r
Sub into [2]:
(r+4)((40/r)-1/2)=40
Solve for r (his original speed). You can easily find his new speed by just adding 4.
terryg752
Nov 16, 2007, 04:39 PM
I think you have made an error: It should be 40 miles, not 40 mph
You have to start with:
Let original speed = x
New speed = x + 4
Time taken with original speed = 40/x
Time taken with new speed = 40/(x+4)
Hence:
40/x - 40/(x+4) = .5 (30 min = .5 hours)
Solve this equation
Duane in Japan
Nov 17, 2007, 09:27 AM
If the speed traveled was 40 MPH for 5 hours, he would travel 200 miles per day.
If the speed traveled was 44 MPH for 4.5 hours, he would travel 198 miles per day.
Your pseudo formula stated he could increase 4 MPH making it an average of 44 MPH to answer your last statement.
I should not even be helping here but what do you math guys think of the above in the travel speed was actually 40 MPH. Then knocking off a half an hour to go the same distance (approx) at 44 MPH.
I could see someone training for 5 hours a day and travelling 200 miles.
lindsaylovesyou
Nov 26, 2007, 06:06 PM
speed = distance/time
mkila
Jan 5, 2011, 05:28 AM
Otoy lhat ng answers niyo nu!!