Answer:
The average speed on this trip was 46.15 mph. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
In order to calculate the average speed, we need to apply the following formula:
[tex]v_{avg} = \frac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}[/tex]
We were given the distance between the two cities in miles, therefore we can directly apply it to the expression. Although the time was given in the hh:mm 12 h format and we need a diference in hours, so we will convert that as shown below:
[tex]\text{time departure} = 9 + \frac{50}{60} = 9.83 \text{ h}[/tex]
[tex]\text{time arrival} = 12 + 5 + \frac{30}{60} = 17.5[/tex]
The elapsed time of the trip is the difference between these:
[tex]\text{time} = 17.5 - 9.83 = 7.67 \text{ h}[/tex]
We can now apply it to the formula:
[tex]v_{avg} = \frac{354}{7.67} = 46.15 \text{ mph}[/tex]
The average speed on this trip was 46.15 mph. The correct option is A.