Question

A runner starts slowing down as she gets tired. At 10 seconds, she 8m/a, and slows down to 2m/a at 13 seconds. What is her acceleration.

Answer 1

Magnitude of acceleration = (change in speed) / (time for the change) .

Change in speed = (end speed) - (start speed)
                            =        (2 m/a)  -  (8 m/a)  =  -6 m/a .

Time for the change = (end time) - (start time)
                                 =   (13 sec)  -  (10 sec)  =  3 sec .

Magnitude of acceleration =  (-6 m/a) / (3 sec)

                                          =       -2 m/a per second .
 
(That's the best I can do with the ambiguous units.
What unit of speed is 'm/a' ?  Is that "miles per afternoon" ?)