John has to make two round trips to the grocery store by the same route. On his initial trip to the store he travels at 20 miles per hour. He increases his speed on each of the following legs of the trip by 10 miles per hour. Which of the following is closest to his average speed in miles per hour for both round trips?

A. 31
B. 35
C. 39
D. 43
E. 44
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We can let the distance between his house and the store = 60 miles.

For his first trip to store, his speed is 20 mph; thus, the time = 60/20 = 3 hours.

For his first return trip home, his speed is 30 mph; thus, the time = 60/30 = 2 hours.

For his second trip to store, his speed is 40 mph; thus, the time = 60/40 = 1.5 hours.

Finally, for his second return trip home, his speed is 50 mph; thus, the time = 60/50 = 1.2 hours.

Recall that average speed = (total distance traveled)/(total time), so we have:

Avg speed = (60 + 60 + 60 + 60)/(3 + 2 + 1.5 + 1.2)

Avg speed = 240/7.7

Avg speed = 31.17 ≈ 31 mph

Answer: A
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