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A man runs a distance of 9km at a constant speed for the ...

A man runs a distance of 9km at a constant speed for the first 4 km and then 2 km\h faster for the rest of the distance. The whole run takes him one hour. His average speed for the first 4 km is

A.

6 km/h

B.

8 km/h

C.

9 km\h

D.

11 km\h

E.

13 km\h

Correct answer is B

Let the average speed for the first 4 km = x km/h.

Hence, the last 5 km, speed = (x + 2) km/h

Recall: \(Time = \frac{Distance}{Speed}\)

Total time = 1 hour.

\(\therefore \frac{4}{x} + \frac{5}{x + 2} = 1\)

\(\frac{4(x + 2) + 5x}{x(x + 2)} = 1\)

\(9x + 8 = x^{2} + 2x\)

\(x^{2} + 2x - 9x - 8 = 0 \implies x^{2} - 7x - 8 = 0\)

\(x^{2} - 8x + x - 8 = 0\)

\(x(x - 8) + 1(x - 8) = 0\)

\(x = -1; x = 8\)

Since speed cannot be negative, x = 8km/h.