a ferryboat has an acceleration of 0.50 m/s. If the ferry travels 125m in 20 seconds while accelerating, what was its initial velocity

as we know that

acceleration = 0.50 m/s^2

distance traveled = 125 m

time taken = 20 s

now we will use the equation of kinematics

[tex]d = v_i*t + \frac{1}{2}at^2[/tex]

[tex]125 = v_i* 20 + \frac{1}{2}*0.50*20^2[/tex]

[tex]125 = 20*v_i + 100[/tex]

[tex]125 - 100 = 20*v_i[/tex]

[tex]v_i = 1.25 m/s[/tex]

so its initial speed must be 1.25 m/s