A motorcyclist drives from A to B with a uniform speed of 30 km h–1 and returns back with a speed of 20 km h–1. Find its average speed.

Let the distance (AB) = x


Total distance = x + x = 2x


Speed = distance/time


t1 = x/30


t2 (return trip) = x/20


Total time taken = t1 +t2


Total time taken = x/30 + x/20


= (2x +3x)/60


= 5x/60


= x/12


Average speed = total distance/total time taken


= 2x /


= (2x) x


= 24 km/hr


16