average and instantaneous velocity question?

Question

The position of a cat running from a dog down a dark alley is given by the values of the table. 
t(seconds) 0 1 2 3 4 5 
s(feet) 0 8 49 53 91 103 


 A. Find the average velocity of the cat (ft/sec) for the time period beginning when t=2 and lasting 
3s:
2s:
1:

I cant figure this out but I figured out the part b:

B. Draw the graph of the function for yourself and estimate the instantaneous velocity of the cat (ft/sec) when t=2 

this answer is 21.943

can someone help me figure out part a please

chump · Accepted Answer

Average velocity over a time period is Δt/Δs.  So for A. 3s we get (103 - 49)/3 = 18 ft/s.  for 2s we get (91 - 49)/2 = 21 ft/s and for 1s we get (53 - 49)/1 = 4 ft/s

That value you for instantaneous velocity is the value for the average velocity for the entire data set.  The t₀ to t₁ velocity is 8/1 or 8 ft/s.  From t₁ to t₂ we have (49 -8) / 1 = 41 ft/s the  instantaneous velocity at t = 2.

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average and instantaneous velocity question?

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