document.write( "Question 1197471: A car covered a certain distance at a speed of 24 mph. While returning, the car covered the same distance at a speed of 16 mph. What was the average speed of the car for the entire journey? \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #830770 by greenestamps(13203)\"\" \"About 
You can put this solution on YOUR website!


\n" ); document.write( "I definitely agree with tutor @Math_tutor2020 that it is better to solve the problem by a method that you understand, rather than by blindly plugging numbers into a magic formula.

\n" ); document.write( "Here is an informal solution method that is similar to his, yet very different.

\n" ); document.write( "The ratio of the two speeds is 24:16 = 3:2, and the distances there and back are the same. That means the ratio of the times at the two speeds is 2:3.

\n" ); document.write( "So 2/5 of the total time is spent at 24mph and 3/5 of the total time is spent at 16mph. The average speed in mph is then

\n" ); document.write( "\"%282%2F5%29%2824%29%2B%283%2F5%29%2816%29=48%2F5%2B48%2F5=96%2F5\"

\n" ); document.write( "ANSWER: 96/5 = 19.2 miles per hour

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