Distance-Time Graph
Maths: Edexcel A Level Pure Maths, topic 3.1.3
Distance-Time Graphs
Distance-time graphs plot the distance travelled against the time. The gradient of a distance-time graph represents the speed (velocity) and direction of movement.
Distance-time graph
Gradient
- Steeper gradients mean faster speed and a negative gradient means the object is travelling back towards the start.
- If the graph is flat the object is stationary.
Calculating speed
- To calculate the speed from a distance-time graph, work out the distance travelled and the time taken for that section and calculate:
- Speed = distance ÷ time
Test yourself on Distance-Time Graph
What is the equation for speed?
What can we tell from the gradient of a distance-time graph?
If Usain Bolt travels 100 metres in 10 seconds, what is his average speed?
If Usain Bolt travels 50 metres in 4 seconds, what is his average speed?
If Usain Bolt travels 20 metres in 2.5 seconds, what is his average speed?