Matt is walking at 1.25 miles per hour to the east. Jaime is walking at 1.25 miles per hour to the south. Which statement describes the movement of Matt and Jaime?

Question

a. they have different speeds but the same velocity
b. they have different speeds and different velocities
c. they have the same speed and the same velocity
d. they have the same speed but different velocities

Answer 1

The correct statement that describes the movement of Matt and Jaime is:

d. they have the same speed but different velocities.

Both Matt and Jaime are walking at the same speed of 1.25 miles per hour, but their velocities are different because they are moving in different directions (Matt to the east and Jaime to the south). Velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction, so the differing directions mean they have different velocities.