Average Speed Formula with Solved Examples

Average Speed formula

Everything you need to know about the Average Speed formula is provided below. Please proceed to read the whole document carefully to understand the topic completely.

The mean value of the speed of a body over a certain amount of time is referred to as the average speed. Because the speed of a moving body is not constant but rather changes over the course of a certain amount of time, a formula to calculate the average speed is required. 

Even if the speed was variable, we are still able to utilise the values of the total amount of time and the total distance travelled, and with the assistance of the formula for the average speed, we are able to get a single number that can accurately reflect the complete motion.

A body’s average speed may be calculated by taking the whole distance travelled and dividing it by the complete amount of time it took. The following is the formula for determining the average speed:

Average Speed= Total distance covered/ Total time taken

Solved Examples

Question:  Sam crosses the first 200 kilometres in 4 hours, then the remaining 160 kilometres in another 4 hours, using the average speed calculation.

It is necessary to know the complete distance and time to calculate the average speed.

Sam travelled a total of 360 kilometres in his travels, which included 200 kilometres in 4 hours and 160 kilometres in another 4 hours.

Sam spent a total of 8 hours travelling.

By dividing the total distance travelled by the total time spent, you get your average speed.

Speed = 360 x 8 = 45 km/h on average.

Question: A vehicle drives at 45 km/h for 5 hours before deciding to slow down to 40 km/h for the next 2 hours. Calculate the average speed using the formula for average speed.

DI = 45 × 5 = 225 miles

DII = 40 × 2 = 80 miles

Total distance = DI + DII

D = 225 + 80 = 305 miles

Using average speed formula = Total distance travelled ÷ Total time taken

Average Speed = 305 ÷ 7 = 43.57 m/s.