Access free live classes and tests on the app
Download
+
Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA
Login Join for Free
avtar
  • ProfileProfile
  • Settings Settings
  • Refer your friendsRefer your friends
  • Sign outSign out
  • Terms & conditions
  • •
  • Privacy policy
  • About
  • •
  • Careers
  • •
  • Blog

© 2023 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Everything you need to know about CLAT: Registration, Syllabus, Admit Card, Exam Pattern, and Dates » CLAT Study Material » Quantitative Techniques » Concepts of Time, Speed, Distance, and Average Speed
CLAT Scholarship

Concepts of Time, Speed, Distance, and Average Speed

This article explains the Concepts of Time, Speed, and Distance in detail. It also discusses the Time, Speed, and distance formula and time, speed, distance questions, and much more about it.

Table of Content
  •  

In physics, Time, speed, and distance are all interrelated.

Time is defined as how fast a position changes with respect to an observer. 

Speed is the magnitude of a change in position divided by the elapsed time. 

Distance is a measure of how far you’ve moved from your original point, and it can be defined as speed multiplied by time. 

Average speed is the speed at a specific point of time, i.e., it is a value obtained by dividing the distance traveled by the elapsed time. It does not take into account the starting point of measurement.

Concept of Time, Speed, and Distance

The basic concept of these terms is the re-emergence of time, speed, and distance in the concepts of measurement of average speed. It is, in a way, the re-emergence of this concept after an absence during the last few centuries.

The concept of time, speed, and distance are related to one another. They are used along with Average speed to measure the time taken for a journey from one place to another. In advanced level physics, Newtonian mechanics uses these three parameters (time, speed, and distance) for determining the average speed (also called speed at a specific moment in time). However, this does not need measurement of time over a distance. Hence, it cannot be used for measuring the average speed of a vehicle.

Time, Speed, and Distance Formula

Time, speed, and distance formulas have their roots in the Pythagoras theorem, i.e., distance is equal to the time multiplied by speed. 

This gives us the basic formula for speed: 

Speed = Distance / Time

In the above shown time, speed, and distance formula, Time measured in hour then unit of  Speed is km/h, while Distance is given in km.

Average speed = (total distance) / (total time)

Average speed: Average speed is the speed that an object moves at a specific point in time. In other words, the average speed is the inverse of distance traveled divided by elapsed time.

If we assume that there are two points A and B on a straight line where (A-B)/distance = k, then k = 1/average speed, where k represents how many units you moved in a given unit of time.

Distance = speed * time

Distance: Distance is a (typically linear) distance that changes slowly, like a straight road or railway track.

Time = distance/speed

Time: The time taken to do anything is measured by the units of seconds.

Time, speed, and distance questions are related to one another. They are used along with Average speed to measure the time taken for a journey from one place to another. In advanced level physics, Newtonian mechanics use these three parameters (time, speed, and distance) for determining the average speed (also called speed at a specific moment in time). However, this does not need measurement of time over a distance. Hence, it cannot be used for measuring the average speed of a vehicle.

The time, speed, and distance formula is the formula of single-direction average speed. The variable “t” stands for time, and the variable “r” stands for the distance traveled. This is one of the most common formulas used in physics textbooks to calculate average speed. It is a special type of time-distance product.

Standard Deviation Formula

The standard deviation formula is also used for solving time, speed, and distance questions.

The standard deviation formulas for speed and distance measure how far apart the speeds and distances are from their average values. In other words, it tells us how constant the measurements are from location to location and from time to time.

The standard deviation formulas for speed and distance are used to calculate the average speed of an object. They show how far apart the speeds and distances are from their average values. In other words, it tells us how constant the measurements are from location to location and from time to time.

Units of measurement of Time, Speed, and Distance

The units of measurement used to determine average speed are km/hour or kph. 

To find out the distance, we use kilometers or miles.

Average speed is the rate of travel in km/hr or mph.

Km/h is used to measure speed in kilometers per hour.

Mph is used to measure speed in miles per hour.

Km is used to measure distance in kilometers.

1 hour = 60 minutes = 3,600 seconds.

Conclusion 

Time, distance, and speed are three important concepts of measurement that are closely related. When taking measurements of these properties, it is necessary to use these formulas to find out the speed or distance of an object and vice versa.

Average speed is a very important term in the modern economy. It is used for the purpose of measurement of the economic performance of people who are working for the goods and services that are produced. Average Speed is also used to determine speed limits on highways, for city and road planning, for traffic management, etc.

 
faq

Frequently asked questions

Get answers to the most common queries related to the CLAT Examination Preparation.

What does average speed mean in daily language?

Ans : Average means ‘in the middle. In other words, it is a number that is ‘averageR...Read full

What are some common applications of average speed?

Ans : In motor racing,...Read full

What is the speed at the stick?

Ans : Average speed is a term used by racing enthusiasts. It is the average speed at which a vehicl...Read full

Ans : Average means ‘in the middle. In other words, it is a number that is ‘average’ or ‘of average value,’ or “the mean number.”

Ans :

  • In motor racing, a driver’s performance depends on the average speed attained by the vehicle when traveling from one place to another. The racer has to reach a certain speed and remain at that speed to win the race.
  • It is used to determine how fast it will take you to drive a certain distance over a given period.
  • Average speed is also used in calculating the speed of a ball in sports like cricket, baseball, etc., where the ball’s speed is calculated by taking the time taken by the fielder to reach the ball and throw it back.
  • In navigation, we use average speed while calculating the distance traveled by any vehicle over some time and determining the rate at which it has traveled that distance.
  • An air force pilot uses average speed in calculating the speed of an enemy aircraft or missile to determine the time it will take for him to reach a target.
  • An automobile driver uses average speed in determining how much time it will take him to reach his destination and in checking whether he is speeding.

Ans : Average speed is a term used by racing enthusiasts. It is the average speed at which a vehicle travels over a specified time interval. Average speed is calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the time taken.

Crack CLAT with Unacademy

Get subscription and access unlimited live and recorded courses from India’s best educators

  • Structured syllabus
  • Daily live classes
  • Ask doubts
  • Tests & practice
Learn more

Related articles

Learn more topics related to Quantitative Techniques
What Is Fraction?

Fractions are mathematical expressions that represent, as a ratio, pieces of a whole. Fractions teach kids to think about numbers in terms of parts.

Weighted Average

Let us understand the concept of weighted average, the weighted average formula, the weighted average method, and a few examples of how to solve weighted average questions from the CLAT exam.

Train, Boats, and Streams Problems

This article discusses the Concept behind the problems related to trains, boats, and streams and provides solutions to the trains, boats, and stream problems.

Surds And Indices

Surds and Indices are mathematical concepts that were coined by some European mathematicians and can be used to solve equations that have irrational numbers.

See all
Access more than

1,414+ courses for CLAT & other 5-year LLB exams

Get subscription

Get the learning app

Download lessons and learn anytime, anywhere with the Unacademy app

Related Links

  • Daily Logical Reasoning Class 
  • Upcoming FREE Mock Test
  • Free classes
  • Upcoming Batches
Company Logo

Unacademy is India’s largest online learning platform. Download our apps to start learning


Starting your preparation?

Call us and we will answer all your questions about learning on Unacademy

Call +91 8585858585

Company
About usShikshodayaCareers
we're hiring
BlogsPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
Help & support
User GuidelinesSite MapRefund PolicyTakedown PolicyGrievance Redressal
Products
Learner appLearner appEducator appEducator appParent appParent app
Popular goals
IIT JEEUPSCSSCCSIR UGC NETNEET UG
Trending exams
GATECATCANTA UGC NETBank Exams
Study material
UPSC Study MaterialNEET UG Study MaterialCA Foundation Study MaterialJEE Study MaterialSSC Study Material

© 2025 Sorting Hat Technologies Pvt Ltd

Unacademy
  • Goals
    • AFCAT
    • AP EAMCET
    • Bank Exam
    • BPSC
    • CA Foundation
    • CAPF
    • CAT
    • CBSE Class 11
    • CBSE Class 12
    • CDS
    • CLAT
    • CSIR UGC
    • GATE
    • IIT JAM
    • JEE
    • Karnataka CET
    • Karnataka PSC
    • Kerala PSC
    • MHT CET
    • MPPSC
    • NDA
    • NEET PG
    • NEET UG
    • NTA UGC
    • Railway Exam
    • SSC
    • TS EAMCET
    • UPSC
    • WBPSC
    • CFA

Share via

COPY