Maths question from Laboratory Attendant exam, 2026 by JKSSB
A car covers a distance at 50 km/h and returns at 40 km/h. What is the average speed for the whole journey?
Last updated Jun 13, 2026
Correct Answer:
Option A —
44.4 km/h
To find the average speed when the distance traveled going and returning is exactly the same, you cannot simply find the standard average of the two speeds. Instead, you follow a specific method: you multiply two by the first speed, multiply that by the second speed, and then divide that entire total by the sum of the two speeds combined.
First, multiply two by fifty, which gives one hundred.
Next, multiply one hundred by forty, which gives four thousand.
After that, add the two speeds of fifty and forty together, which gives ninety.
Finally, divide four thousand by ninety, which results in forty-four point forty-four repeating.
When rounded to one decimal place, the average speed for the whole journey is forty-four point four kilometers per hour.
Answer verified by Quintessence Classes faculty — Karan Nagar, Srinagar.
