Speed, distance and time
speed = distance ÷ time — keep the units consistent.
The common mistake
Mixing units (km with seconds) or multiplying when you should divide.
Instead: Convert to matching units first, then use speed = distance/time (rearrange to distance = speed × time).
Worked example with Guide me
A car travels 150 km in 2.5 hours. Find its average speed.
- Sugar · Which formula?Student · speed = distance ÷ time.
- Sugar · Plug in.Student · 150 ÷ 2.5 = 60.
Answer: 60 km/h
Try 3 practice questions
1. Distance at 20 m/s for 15 s?
Show answer
300 m
2. Time to go 400 m at 8 m/s?
Show answer
50 s
3. Convert 36 km/h to m/s.
Show answer
10 m/s
Quick answers
- What is the most common mistake with speed, distance and time?
- Mixing units (km with seconds) or multiplying when you should divide.
- How do I get speed, distance and time right?
- Convert to matching units first, then use speed = distance/time (rearrange to distance = speed × time).
- Can you show a worked example?
- A car travels 150 km in 2.5 hours. Find its average speed. 60 km/h
Related concepts
Save this as a miss — practice it before your test
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Save this as a miss — practice it before your test