What is Average Speed?

The average speed of an object can be defined as the total distance travelled by it in a particular interval of time. It can be calculated by dividing the total distance travelled by the total time taken.

If an object covers different distances with different velocities, then average velocity of the object is a single velocity value for which if the object moves uniformly, it will cover the same distance in the same interval of time.

Mathematically, average speed (Savg) =

Total distance coveredTotal time takenTotal distance coveredTotal time taken

If an object covers x₁, x₂, x₃,…….,x_n distances in t₁, t₂, t₃,…..,t_n seconds respectively, then

Savg=x1+x2+….+xnt1+t2+….+tn����=�1+�2+….+���1+�2+….+��

SI unit of average speed is m/s, and is a scalar quantity, which means it has only magnitude.