One car travels east for 360 m over a period of 15 seconds. a second car travels west for 120 m over a period of 5 seconds. what is true about their speeds? their velocities?

Take it one step at a time.

- - Remember that 'speed' means (distance) divided by (time),

and the direction doesn't matter.

- - Remember that 'velocity' means the speed and the direction.

First car:

360 meters east in 15 sec.

Speed = 360/15 = 24 meters per second

Velocity = 24 meters per second east

Second car:

120 meters west in 5 seconds

Speed = 120/5 = 24 meters per second

Velocity = 24 meters per second west

- - Their speeds (24 and 24) are equal.

- - Their velocities are equal magnitude but opposite (24 east / 24 west).

It's the same because when you divide you can see they have the same velocity