1.4 Average speed equation
Average speed links distance moved with time taken, supporting direct calculations, rearrangements, graph readings and unit conversions in varied motion problems.
- Syllabus
- 2024
- Objective
- 1.4
- Level
- —
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing23%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper1P
Typical marks1–3
Common command terms
- State
- Calculate
- Determine
- Explain
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Using minutes or kilometres directly when the required answer needs metres per second.
Recent exam appearances
November 2025Paper1P [] · TZ02(a)[ 2 ]1.4 Average speed equation
May 2025Paper1P [] · TZ01(a)(ii)[ 3 ]1.4 Average speed equation
May 2025Paper1P [] · TZ01(a)(i)[ 1 ]1.4 Average speed equation
November 2024Paper1P [null] · TZ08(b)(i)[ 2 ]1.4 Average speed equation
Jan 2023Paper1P [null] · TZ05(d)(ii)[ 3 ]1.4 Average speed equation
Practice this objective
Coverage 2020–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
1.4 Average speed equation
Know and use average speed = distance moved ÷ time taken.
Concept essentials
- Average speed equals distance moved divided by time taken.
- The same relationship can be rearranged to calculate distance or time.
- Distance and time units must be compatible before a speed calculation is evaluated.
- Graph-based speed calculations depend on reading the correct distance and time values.