Part a
The average speed = total distance traveled upon total time taken.
we know, distance =speed × time
Average speed = [tex] \frac{S_1t_1+S_2t_2+S_3t_3}{t_1+t_2+t_3+t_4} [/tex]
insert the values:
[tex] S_1=80 km/hr\\ S_2=70 km/hr\\ S_3=55km/hr\\ t_1=55 min\\ t_2=10min\\ t_3=55min\\ t_4=55min [/tex]
[tex]\frac{80\times 55+70\times10+55\times 55}{55+10+55+55} km/hr[/tex]
= [tex] \frac{8125}{175} [/tex] km/hr
= 46.43 km/hr
Hence, the average speed for the trip is 46.43 km/hr.
Part b
the total distance between two cities via this route would be the average speed times the total time taken = 46.43 km/hr × 2.9 hr = 134.65 km
(because 175 minutes = 2.9 hours)
Hence, the total distance between two cities via this route is 134.65 km.