Isla’s change in velocity is 30 m/s, and Hazel has the same change in velocity. Which best explains why they would have different accelerations?

Question

Isla had negative acceleration, and Hazel had positive.
Isla had a different time than Hazel.
Isla had positive acceleration, and Hazel had negative.
Isla went a farther distance than Hazel.

Answer 1

The best explanation for why Isla and Hazel could have different accelerations, given that they both have the same change in velocity of 30 m/s, is:

Isla had a different time than Hazel.

Acceleration is defined as the change in velocity divided by the time over which that change occurs (a = Δv/Δt). If Isla and Hazel have the same change in velocity but different times over which that change occurs, their accelerations can indeed be different.