Initial velocity (u) = 50 m s -1
Final velocity (v) = 20 m s -1
Time (t) = 3 s
Acceleration (a) = v-u\over t
= 20-50\over 3
= -30\over 3 = -10 m s-2
Hence, the acceleration of the body is -10 m s -2. A negative sign shows that the velocity decreases with time, so retardation is 10 m s-2.