Part 04 · Graphs · Card 8 of 8
Distance-time graphs
A graph with time across and distance up. The gradient of the line is the speed.
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Analogy
Like a diary of a journey: steep means fast, flat means you have stopped.
Example
60 km in 1.5 hours
Speed = distance / time= 60 / 1.5= 40 km/h
In practice
Delivery apps track a rider with a distance-time graph to estimate arrival.
Practice
Flashcards
- What is the speed if a car goes 60 km in 1.5 hours?40 km/h. Speed is distance divided by time.
Questions people ask
What does a flat line mean on a distance-time graph?
A flat horizontal line means the distance is not changing, so the object is stationary. Time keeps passing but the distance stays the same. A steeper line means a faster speed. A line sloping back down means the object is returning.
How do you find speed from a distance-time graph?
Find the gradient of the line. Divide the distance covered by the time taken for that section. A line rising 60 km over 1.5 hours has a speed of 60 / 1.5 = 40 km/h. Check the units on each axis.