Solve.
-The amount of time it takes a swimmer to swim a race varies inversely as the average speed of the swimmer. A swimmer finishes a race in 37.5 seconds with an average speed of 4 feet per second. Find the average speed of
The swimmer if it takes 50 seconds to finish the race.
A)4 feet per second
B)5 feet per second
C)3 feet per second
D)2 feet per second

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

We can use the inverse variation equation:

time = k/speed

where k is the constant of proportionality.

We can solve for k using the first set of information:

37.5 = k/4

k = 150

Now we can use the same equation with the new set of information:

50 = 150/speed

Solving for speed:

speed = 150/50

speed = 3

Therefore, the average speed of the swimmer if it takes 50 seconds to finish the race is 3 feet per second, which is choice C. Let's use the formula for inverse variation to solve this problem:

Time = k/Speed

where k is the constant of variation. We can use the values from the first scenario to find k:

37.5 = k/4

k = 150

Now we can use k to find the speed for the second scenario:

50 = 150/Speed

Speed = 150/50 = 3 feet per second

Therefore, the answer is (C) 3 feet per second.

Solve. -The Amount of Time It Takes a Swimmer to Swim