On a school baseball diamond, the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate is about 15 m.

Data for the pitching speed of two pitchers was collected by finding the number of seconds it took for four pitched balls to go from the mound to home plate. Lou's times were 1.2 s, 2.0 s, 3.1 s, and 2.5 s. Jamie's times were 1.7 s, 2.3 s, 3.0 s, and 2.2 s. Who was the better pitcher (had the higher average speed), and what was their average speed in m/s? (1 point)
Jamie, 1.6 m/s
• Jamie, 1.7 m/s
• Lou, 1.6 m/s
• Lou, 1.7 m/s

1 answer

To determine who was the better pitcher based on average speed, we need to calculate the average speed for both Lou and Jamie using the formula:

\[ \text{Speed} = \frac{\text{Distance}}{\text{Time}} \]

Given that the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate is 15 m, we will calculate their average speeds using their recorded times.

For Lou's times:

1.2 s, 2.0 s, 3.1 s, 2.5 s

Total time for Lou:

\[ \text{Total Time} = 1.2 + 2.0 + 3.1 + 2.5 = 8.8 \text{ s} \]

Average time for Lou:

\[ \text{Average Time} = \frac{8.8 \text{ s}}{4} = 2.2 \text{ s} \]

Now calculate Lou's average speed:

\[ \text{Speed}_\text{Lou} = \frac{15 \text{ m}}{2.2 \text{ s}} \approx 6.82 \text{ m/s} \]

For Jamie's times:

1.7 s, 2.3 s, 3.0 s, 2.2 s

Total time for Jamie:

\[ \text{Total Time} = 1.7 + 2.3 + 3.0 + 2.2 = 9.2 \text{ s} \]

Average time for Jamie:

\[ \text{Average Time} = \frac{9.2 \text{ s}}{4} = 2.3 \text{ s} \]

Now calculate Jamie's average speed:

\[ \text{Speed}_\text{Jamie} = \frac{15 \text{ m}}{2.3 \text{ s}} \approx 6.52 \text{ m/s} \]

Conclusion: By comparing the average speeds:

  • Lou's average speed: approximately 6.82 m/s
  • Jamie's average speed: approximately 6.52 m/s

Therefore, Lou is the better pitcher with a higher average speed of approximately 6.82 m/s.

The provided options do not match these results, indicating they may need reevaluation or clarification. Based on the calculations, the best choice would reflect Lou's average speed, if available.