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Speed Formula: Definition, Examples, and Facts

Camille Ira B. Mendoza

reviewed by Jo-ann Caballes

Updated on October 15, 2024

Welcome to Brighterly, where we make even the most seemingly complex math concepts, formulas and operations a joy to learn!

Today, we’re going to cover the speed formula. This important formula helps us calculate how long it takes to get to a destination and will be highly useful once you learn to drive!

Here, we’ll cover the formula for calculating speed, some distance time formula examples and cover what speed itself is. We’ll also share solved math tasks and engaging worksheets so you can go away and practice your knowledge – eventually you will become a master at calculating speed!

What is speed?

The definition of speed for kids is the measurement of how fast an object is moving. In order to understand the speed of an object, you need to know how far it’s moving in a specific time period to work out how fast it is traveling.

We can measure speed in a number of ways with speed formulas:

• Miles per hour, minute or second
• Kilometers per hour, minute or second
• Meters per hour, minute or second
• Centimeters per hour, minute or second
• Millimeters per hour, minute or second

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What is the formula for speed?

The formula to calculate speed is as follows:

Speed = distance ÷ time.

In order to work out the speed of an object traveling, it’s also useful to know the measurement you’re using for the distance – i.e. miles, meters, centimeters, millimeters or kilometers. You should also know your unit of time measurement, i.e. hours, minutes or seconds, for your speed formula.

Usually, when we calculate the speed of a moving object, we’re accounting for the average speed it traveled at to get from point a to b. Some may also be worked out as constant speed, where an object moved at a consistent speed for the entire time it was traveling.

What is the equation to find speed?

The equation for speed is also speed = distance ÷ time.

Speed distance time formula examples

Here are some examples of speed, distance and time used in the right formula to calculate the speed of a moving object.

• A car traveled 50 miles in one hour. 50 ÷ 1 = 50 miles per hour. You can also calculate this in minutes: 50 ÷ 60 = 083˙
• A ball rolled 12 meters in 30 seconds. 12 ÷ 30 = 0.4 meters per second
• A runner ran a marathon (26 miles) in 4 hours. 26 ÷ 4 = 6.5 miles an hour, or 26 ÷ 240 = 0.1083˙ miles a minute.

Solved math tasks: examples

How do u calculate speed if you’re walking to school 2 miles away and it takes you 30 minutes to get to school?

Answer:

The formula to find speed is distance over time, so you would divide your miles by your minutes:

2 ÷ 30 = 0.067 miles per minute.

You can also calculate this by how many minutes it takes you to walk a mile – simply reverse your sum.

30 ÷ 2 = 15 minutes per mile.

How do u calculate speed if you’ve cycled a distance of 30 miles in 3 hours?

Answer:

The formula to find speed is distance over time, so you could divide your miles by your minutes:

30 ÷ 3 = 10 miles an hour.

You could also calculate this by minute by dividing your distance by your time in minutes (180 minutes):

30 ÷ 180 = 0.167 miles a minute.

A train travels 150 miles per hour for 3.5 hours. How much distance in kilometers has the train traveled?

Answer:

This requires a little reverse-engineering. We know that speed = distance ÷ time. So if we know the speed and the time, we multiply those two numbers together to get the distance traveled.

150 x 3.5 = 525 miles.

Speed formula: practice math problems

Speed formula: worksheets

Ready to try out working out the formulas for speed with a range of distance and time measurements? Our fun, free math worksheets will help you put your knowledge to the test and hone your skills.

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Camille Ira B. Mendoza

17 articles

I am a seasoned math tutor with over seven years of experience in the field. Holding a Master’s Degree in Education, I take great joy in nurturing young math enthusiasts, regardless of their age, grade, and skill level. Beyond teaching, I am passionate about spending time with my family, reading, and watching movies. My background also includes knowledge in child psychology, which aids in delivering personalized and effective teaching strategies.