Speed is a measure of how fast something is going.

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Chapter Overview

Learning Goals

Maths

Speed: Formula and units

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Summary

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Speed: Formula and units

In a nutshell

Speed is a measure of how much distance is travelled within a certain amount of time.

Formula for speed

The formula to calculate speed is:

$speed=\frac{distance}{time}$

Or, more simply:

$S=\frac{D}{T}$

Units of speed, distance and time

measurement	units
Speed	metres per second ( $m/s$ ), kilometres per hour ( $km/h$ ), miles per hour $(mph)$
Distance	metres ( $m$ ), kilometres ( $km$ ), miles ( $miles$ )
Time	seconds ( $s$ ), hours ( $h$ )

Solving speed problems

To solve problems involving speed, follow this procedure:

procedure

1.	Identify what values you have and what variable you want to find.
2.	Rearrange the speed formula for the desired variable.
3.	Substitute in known values.
4.	Give the answer with the correct units.

Example

A car has travelled 250 kilometres in 5 hours. What was the speed of the car?

From the given information, identify the distance and the time:

$D=250km,\,T=5$ hours

Write the speed formula (no need to rearrange as it's already given in terms of speed):

$S=\frac{D}{T}$ 

Substitute in the known values:

$S=\frac{250km}{5h}$ 

Give the answer with the correct units:

$\underline{S=50km/h}$

Speed: Formula and units

In a nutshell

Speed is a measure of how much distance is travelled within a certain amount of time.

Formula for speed

The formula to calculate speed is:

$speed=\frac{distance}{time}$

Or, more simply:

$S=\frac{D}{T}$

Units of speed, distance and time

measurement	units
Speed	metres per second ( $m/s$ ), kilometres per hour ( $km/h$ ), miles per hour $(mph)$
Distance	metres ( $m$ ), kilometres ( $km$ ), miles ( $miles$ )
Time	seconds ( $s$ ), hours ( $h$ )

Solving speed problems

To solve problems involving speed, follow this procedure:

procedure

1.	Identify what values you have and what variable you want to find.
2.	Rearrange the speed formula for the desired variable.
3.	Substitute in known values.
4.	Give the answer with the correct units.

Example

A car has travelled 250 kilometres in 5 hours. What was the speed of the car?

From the given information, identify the distance and the time:

$D=250km,\,T=5$ hours

Write the speed formula (no need to rearrange as it's already given in terms of speed):

$S=\frac{D}{T}$ 

Substitute in the known values:

$S=\frac{250km}{5h}$ 

Give the answer with the correct units:

$\underline{S=50km/h}$

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQs

Question: What is the formula for speed?

Answer: Speed = distance/time.
Question: What is speed?

Answer: Speed is a measure of how fast something is going.

Theory

Exercises

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Speed: Formula and units

Speed: Formula and units

In a nutshell

Formula for speed

Units of speed, distance and time

measurement

units

Solving speed problems

procedure

Example

Speed: Formula and units

In a nutshell

Formula for speed

Units of speed, distance and time

measurement

units

Solving speed problems

procedure

Example

Theory understood?