Calculating speed, distance and time - KS3 Maths - BBC Bitesize (2024)

Key points

  • We can use formulas to model real-life situations.

  • For example, the formula for calculating speed is speed = distance ÷ time.

  • It is possible to calculate the speed, distance or time if you have the other two values.

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What is speed?

Speed tells us how fast something or someone is travelling. You can find the average speed of an object if you know the distance travelled and the time it took.

The formula for speed is speed = distance ÷ time. To work out what the units are for speed, you need to know the units for distance and time. In this example, distance is in metres (m) and time is in seconds (s), so the units will be in metres per second (m/s).

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Calculating speed

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  1. Calculating speed, distance and time - KS3 Maths - BBC Bitesize (1)

Slide 1 of 6, A whiteboard with the formula for speed written on it, Click to see a step by step slideshow.

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Rearranging the formula

The formula speed = distance ÷ time can be rearranged, just like any other equation.

The formula can be rearranged in three ways:

  • speed = distance ÷ time

  • distance = speed × time

  • time = distance ÷ speed

To calculate one of the variables (speed, distance or time) we need the other two.

For example, to find the time taken to make a journey, we need the length of the journey and the speed of travel.

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Formula quiz

Test your knowledge with this quick quiz.

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Divided Islands. gameDivided Islands

Use your maths skills to help the islanders of Ichi build bridges and bring light back to the islands in this free game from BBC Bitesize.

Calculating speed, distance and time - KS3 Maths - BBC Bitesize (2)

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Calculating speed, distance and time - KS3 Maths - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

Calculating speed, distance and time - KS3 Maths - BBC Bitesize? ›

Key points. Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving. Calculate speed using the speed equation - speed = distance divided by time.

How to calculate speed in KS3? ›

Key points. Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving. Calculate speed using the speed equation - speed = distance divided by time.

What is the formula for calculating speed distance and time? ›

speed = distance ÷ time. distance = speed × time. time = distance ÷ speed.

How to calculate speed from a distance-time graph in KS3? ›

Calculating speed from a distance-time graph

The gradient of the line on a distance-time graph is equal to the speed. When the speed is calculated from a distance-time graph, the units for speed will depend on the units used for the y axis (distance) and the units used for the x axis (time taken).

What is the speed equation for BBC Bitesize? ›

Distance = m (metres); Time = s (seconds); Speed = m/s (metres per second)

What are the 3 formulas for speed? ›

Speed, Distance, and Time: Formulas
SpeedDistanceTime
Distance divided by time equals speed.Speed multiplied by time equals distance.Distance divided by speed equals time.
SpeedDistanceTime

What is the formula for converting speed to distance? ›

To solve for distance use the formula for distance d = st, or distance equals speed times time. Rate and speed are similar since they both represent some distance per unit time like miles per hour or kilometers per hour.

What is the triangle for speed, distance, and time? ›

The triangular key to speed, distance, and time

Think of it this way: Speed = Distance ÷ Time. Time = Distance ÷ Speed. Distance = Speed × Time.

Is velocity always positive? ›

Velocity: The velocity of an object is the change in position (displacement) over a time interval. Velocity includes both speed and direction, thus velocity can be either positive or negative while speed can only be positive. Another way to say this is that speed is the absolute value of velocity.

How to calculate acceleration in KS3? ›

Acceleration. Acceleration = change of velocity ÷ time taken. is the change in velocity per second and is measured in m/s2. The relationship between acceleration, velocity change and the time taken for the change is given by this formula.

How can you calculate speed? ›

Speed can be found by using the values of distance and time given for a certain movement. The formula to find speed is S = d/t, where S is speed, d is distance, and t is time.

How do you calculate speed grade 7? ›

Speed is simply distance divided by the time where distance is directly proportional to velocity when time is constant.

What is the correct formula for speed? ›

The formula for Speed is given as [Speed = Distance ÷ Time].

What is the formula for speed 8th grade science? ›

Average speed can be calculated using the formula v=d/t where the variables are: v is the average speed of the object. d is the total distance or length of the path of the object.

References

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