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Comparing the Motion of Three Runners

A graph titled Position versus time for 3 runners with horizontal axis time (seconds) and vertical axis position (meters). A blue line labeled A has the greatest upward slope followed by an orange line labeled B followed by a green line labeled C. Lines A and B intersect 0 seconds 0 minutes while line C intersects the vertical axis at 0 seconds a positive distance above 0 meters.
Which runner had the fastest speed in the race?

Which runner had the slowest speed in the race?

Which runner had a head start?

1 answer

Based on your description of the graph titled "Position versus time for 3 runners," we can analyze the information provided:

  1. Fastest Speed: The speed of a runner is determined by the slope of their position vs. time line. The steeper the slope, the faster the speed. Since the blue line (A) has the greatest upward slope, Runner A had the fastest speed in the race.

  2. Slowest Speed: Runner C, represented by the green line, has the least steep slope since it is lower than both A and B. Therefore, Runner C had the slowest speed in the race.

  3. Head Start: A runner has a head start if their position on the vertical axis (the position at time 0 seconds) is above 0 meters. According to your description, Runner C's line intersects the vertical axis at a positive distance above 0 meters, indicating that Runner C had a head start.

To summarize:

  • Fastest Speed: Runner A
  • Slowest Speed: Runner C
  • Head Start: Runner C