SOLUTION: The speed of a hiker averages 2 km per hour uphill and 6 km per hour downhill.What is his average speed for the entire trip?

Question 87540: The speed of a hiker averages 2 km per hour uphill and 6 km per hour downhill.What is his average speed for the entire trip?
Answer by stanbon(75887) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
The speed of a hiker averages 2 km per hour uphill and 6 km per hour downhill.What is his average speed for the entire trip?
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Let the distance be "x" km.
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Uphill DATA:
Distance = x km ; rate = 2 km/h ; time = d/r = x/2 hrs
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Downhill DATA:
Distance = x km ; rate = 6 km/h ; time = d/r = x/6 hrs
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Total Trip DATA:
Distance = 2x km ; Time = x/2 + x/6 = 8x/12 = 2x/3 hrs
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Total Trip Rate:
d/t = r
(2x)/(2x/3) = 3 km/hr
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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