Question

A person taking part in triathlon records his average speeds when running, cycling and swimming. His average speed when swimming was 18 km/h, average speed when running was 7 m/s and the average speed when cycling was 2 km/min. Based on the given information, which of the following statements are true?

• A. The average speed when cycling is higher than swimming and running
• B. The average speed when swimming is higher than cycling and running
• C. The average speed when running is higher than swimming and cycling
• D. The average speed of all the three is the same.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

The average speed when cycling is higher than swimming and running

All the metrics have to be converted to the same unit for easy comparison. Let us convert it to m/s for convenience.

Speed while swimming $\Rightarrow 18km/h=18\left(\frac{\frac{1}{1000}km}{\frac{1}{3600}hr}\right)=5m/s$
Speed while running $\Rightarrow 7m/s$
Speed while cycling $\Rightarrow 2km/min=2\left(\frac{\frac{1}{1000}km}{\frac{1}{3600}hr}\right)=33.3m/s$

Therefore, the comparison of average speeds is as follows:

Cycling > Running > Swimming