Which statement correctly defines average speed?

Which statement correctly defines average speed?

• A. Displacement divided by time
• B. Instantaneous velocity
• C. Total distance divided by total time
• D. Total time divided by total distance

Answer: (C)

Average speed tells you how fast you go over the whole trip, regardless of direction. It is defined as the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. This makes it a scalar quantity, so it has magnitude only and ignores where you were or which way you were moving at any moment. The total distance is different from displacement, which is the straight‑line distance from start to finish and is used when defining average velocity (displacement divided by total time). Instantaneous velocity is the velocity at a specific moment, which can vary along the trip. Taking the total time divided by total distance would give the reciprocal of speed, not speed itself. For example, traveling 100 km in 2 hours gives an average speed of 50 km/h.

Average speed tells you how fast you go over the whole trip, regardless of direction. It is defined as the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. This makes it a scalar quantity, so it has magnitude only and ignores where you were or which way you were moving at any moment. The total distance is different from displacement, which is the straight‑line distance from start to finish and is used when defining average velocity (displacement divided by total time). Instantaneous velocity is the velocity at a specific moment, which can vary along the trip. Taking the total time divided by total distance would give the reciprocal of speed, not speed itself. For example, traveling 100 km in 2 hours gives an average speed of 50 km/h.