physics problem please help

a swimmer travels from the south end to the north end of a 30m pool in 15s and makes a return trip to the starting position in 19s what is the average velocity round trip?

Question

physics problem please help

a swimmer travels from the  south end to the north end of a 30m pool in 15s and makes a return trip to the starting position in 19s what is the average velocity round trip?

anonymous · Answer

1.78947368 m/s

radar · Answer

Total distance is 30m + 30m or 60m
Total time is 15s + 19s or 34 sec.
v=d/t

radar · Answer

I got something less than @cornell

anonymous · Answer

how can I find the average velocity

anonymous · Answer

Take the distance divided by time of each and add them together then divide by two

radar · Answer

Avewrage velocity is total distance  divided by total time, please read my earlier posts.

anonymous · Answer

oh that makes more sense thanks

anonymous · Answer

Yep. @radar that makes sense, was overthinking it.

radar · Answer

The problem is asking for the average of the round trip, not for each oneway averaged.  At least that is the way I am reading it , never mind we are now in sync.

radar · Answer

Is this multiple choice, if so what are your options?

anonymous · Answer

a. 1.60 m/s to the south

b. 2.0 m/s to the north

c. 1.60 m/s to the north

d. 2.0 m/s to the south

jh3power · Answer

i'll give you a tip,lol.. when the distance is equal use this equation$$v avg= \frac{2v1v2}{v1+v2}$$

anonymous · Answer

ok thanks

radar · Answer

You know this problem may be a problem.  Velocity differs from speed, in that it is a vector, in other words speed with a direction..  In this case, he is where he started, his "round trip" velocity averaged might be considered zero.  The directions were opposite.  Now I am confused.