Foundation and Higher · distance-time graphs

Distance-time
graphs. Read
the story.

steep, flat
or coming home

on a distance-time graph —

Gradient

the gradient is the speed

distance ÷ time

part 1 of 4

Sloping up: moving

1. 20 km in the first 2 hours.

2. Speed = distance ÷ time = 20 ÷ 2.

✓ 10 km/h

part 2 of 4

Flat: stopped

1. An hour passes. Still 20 km from home.

2. No change in distance: not moving.

✓ Stopped for 1 hour

part 3 of 4

Steeper: faster

1. Another 20 km, in just 1 hour.

2. Speed = 20 ÷ 1 = 20 km/h.

✓ The steeper the line, the faster

part 4 of 4

Sloping down: return

1. The distance from home falls to 0.

2. 40 km in 2 hours: 20 km/h.

✓ Total distance: 40 + 40 = 80 km

reading the story —

Gradient

the speed

Flat

stopped

Sloping down

heading back

Speed = distance ÷ time.
Read both from the axes.

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