Calculating Rachel's Average Speed During Her 6-Hour Trip: A Comprehensive Analysis

During a 6-hour trip, Rachel traveled 150 miles to Maplewood and 90 miles to Fernwood. This article will guide you through the process of determining Rachel's average speed for her entire trip, taking into account the various methods of calculation and ensuring accuracy.

Understanding the Problem Constraints

The initial problem statement mentions a 6-hour trip and specifies that Rachel traveled 150 miles to Maplewood and 90 miles to Fernwood. However, it does not explicitly state that these were the only destinations visited. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the possibility of other travel segments that could contribute to the overall distance.

Determining the Total Distance Traveled

To find Rachel's average speed, we need to determine the total distance she traveled. According to the given data:

Total distance 150 miles 90 miles 240 miles

Calculating Average Speed

Method 1: Using the Total Distance and Total Time

To find the average speed, we need to divide the total distance by the total time.

Total time 6 hours

Average speed Total distance / Total time 240 miles / 6 hours 40 miles per hour

Method 2: Simplifying the Total Distance and Time

Alternatively, we can simplify the figures to make the calculation more intuitive.

240 miles / 6 40 miles and 6 hours / 6 1 hour

This gives us a rate of 40 miles per hour, which matches the previous calculation.

Defining Average Speed

Average speed is always denoted as a distance over time. Commonly, speed is expressed in units such as miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per minute. In this scenario, we have the total distance and total time, which allows us to express the speed in miles per hour.

Conclusion

Through the detailed calculation, we can confidently determine that Rachel's average rate of speed for her entire trip was 40 miles per hour. This calculation takes into account all segments of her journey, ensuring an accurate representation of her travel speed.

Keywords: average speed, travel distance, trip calculation