Average speed = total distance traveled ÷ total time taken
Use the total path distance, not displacement
Add all distances traveled
Add all time intervals
Divide total distance by total time
Keep units consistent
Common units: m/s, km/h, mph
For varying speeds, use the same formula with total distance and total time
For equal distances at different speeds, average speed is not the simple mean of the speeds
For equal time intervals at different speeds, average speed is the mean of the speeds
Formula for two equal distances: average speed = 2v1v2 ÷ (v1 + v2)