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shasadou
On a certain Monday, Carlos drove to work at an average speed of 50 miles per hour and home from work along exactly the same route at an average speed of 70 miles per hour. Which of the following is closest to his average speed for both trips combined?

A. 58.3 miles per hour
B. 60.0 miles per hour
C. 62.6 miles per hour
D. 65.4 miles per hour
E. It cannot be determined from the information given
Distance is equal; set it at 350.

Leg1 time: 350 mi / 50 mph = 7 hours
Leg2 time: 350/ 70 = 5 hours

Average speed = total distance/total time

700/12 = 58.33

Answer A
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For these type of questions we can apply direct formula given below:

2ab/(a+b), where a & b are avg. speed. So 2x50x70/(120)= 58.33 (approx)
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shasadou
On a certain Monday, Carlos drove to work at an average speed of 50 miles per hour and home from work along exactly the same route at an average speed of 70 miles per hour. Which of the following is closest to his average speed for both trips combined?

A. 58.3 miles per hour
B. 60.0 miles per hour
C. 62.6 miles per hour
D. 65.4 miles per hour
E. It cannot be determined from the information given

We can use the following formula:

average rate = total distance/total time

If we let the distance each way = d, then the time to work = d/50 and the time from work = d/70. Thus:

average rate = 2d/(d/50 + d/70)

average rate = 2d/(7d/350 + 5d/350)

average rate = 2d/(12d/350)

average rate = (2d x 350)/12d

average rate = 350/6 = 58.3 mph

Answer: A
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shasadou
On a certain Monday, Carlos drove to work at an average speed of 50 miles per hour and home from work along exactly the same route at an average speed of 70 miles per hour. Which of the following is closest to his average speed for both trips combined?

A. 58.3 miles per hour
B. 60.0 miles per hour
C. 62.6 miles per hour
D. 65.4 miles per hour
E. It cannot be determined from the information given

Average speed = (TOTAL distance)/TOTAL travel time)

Let d = the distance from work to home

Carlos drove to work at an average speed of 50 miles per hour
Time = distance/speed
So, travel time TO work = d/50 hours

Carlos drove home from work at an average speed of 70 miles per hour
So, travel time FROM work = d/70 hours

So, TOTAL travel time = d/50 + d/70
= 7d/350 + 5d/350 [rewrite with common denominators]
= 12d/350

Also, TOTAL distance = d + d = 2d

Which of the following is closest to his average speed for both trips combined?
Average speed = (TOTAL distance)/TOTAL travel time)
= (2d)/(12d/350)
= (2d)(350/12d)
= 700d/12d
= 700/12
= 350/6

STOP.
Since 360/60 = 60, we know that 350/6 will be LESS THAN 60

Answer: A

Cheers,
Brent
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