Distance-Time & Speed-Time Graphs (Edexcel GCSE Maths: Foundation)

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Distance-Time Graphs

How do I use a distance-time graph?

  • Distance-time graphs show the distance travelled at different times
    • Distance is on the vertical axis
    • Time is on the horizontal axis 
  • The gradient of the graph is the speed
    • speed space equals space distance over time space equals space rise over run
  • The steeper the line the faster the object is moving
    • Lines with positive gradients represent objects moving away from the start point
    • Lines with negative gradients represent objects moving towards the start point
    • Lines that are horizontal represent rest
      • The object is stationary (not moving)

How do I work out the overall average speed?

  • For journeys with multiple parts
    • the overall average speed for the whole journey is fraction numerator total space distance space travelled over denominator total space time end fraction
    • The total time includes any rests

Examiner Tip

  • These questions often have a lot of parts that depend on each other, so always double check each answer before continuing. 

Worked example

One afternoon, Mary cycled 8 km from her home to her grandfather's house.
Part of the travel graph for her journey is shown.

 

A distance time graph

 

(a)
Find Mary's speed at 2 pm.
  
The speed is the gradient of the line at that point
The gradient at 2pm is the same as the gradient for all points between 1:45pm and 2:45pm
It is easiest to use rise over run for that bigger section
rise over run equals 6 over 1
6 km/h
 
(b)
Calculate, in minutes, how long Mary stopped on the way to her grandfather's house.
  
The horizontal line is where Mary stops
The scale is 1 square = 15 minutes
15 minutes
 
(c)
Calculate Mary's overall average speed from leaving her home to arriving at her grandfather's house, giving your answer correct to 3 significant figures.
 
Overall average speed is fraction numerator total space distance space travelled over denominator total space time end fraction 
 
Total distance travelled is 8 km
Total time (including rests) is 1.75 hours

fraction numerator 8 over denominator 1.75 end fraction equals 4.57142...

Round the answer to 3 significant figures
4.57 km/h (to 3 s.f.)
 
(d)

Mary stayed at her grandfather's house for half an hour, then cycled home at a steady speed without stopping, arriving home at 4pm.

Complete the travel graph for Mary's journey.

 
Rest is a horizontal line
Returning home is a straight line with a negative gradient

 

Example-5-3-20-Diagram-2, IGCSE & GCSE Maths revision notes

Speed-Time Graphs

How do I use a speed-time graph?

  • Speed-time graphs show the speed of an object at different times
    • Speed is on the vertical axis
    • Time is on the horizontal axis 
  • Straight lines
    • with positive gradients represent objects speeding up (accelerating)
    • with negative gradients represent objects slowing down (decelerating)
  • Horizontal lines indicate moving at a constant speed
    • The object is neither speeding up or slowing down
    • If the constant speed is zero, then it at rest

Examiner Tip

  • Always check the vertical axis to see if you are given a speed-time graph or a distance-time graph!

Worked example

The speed-time graph for a car travelling between two sets of traffic lights is shown.

A speed-time graph

For how long was the car travelling at a constant speed?

Constant speed is represented by horizontal lines

There is a horizontal line from 6 seconds to 15 seconds

15 - 6 = 9

9 seconds

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Mark

Author: Mark

Expertise: Maths

Mark graduated twice from the University of Oxford: once in 2009 with a First in Mathematics, then again in 2013 with a PhD (DPhil) in Mathematics. He has had nine successful years as a secondary school teacher, specialising in A-Level Further Maths and running extension classes for Oxbridge Maths applicants. Alongside his teaching, he has written five internal textbooks, introduced new spiralling school curriculums and trained other Maths teachers through outreach programmes.