Myths about teaching can hold you back
- Year 11•
- Foundation
Distance-time graphs
I can calculate time intervals and speed of sections of a distance-time graph.
- Year 11•
- Foundation
Distance-time graphs
I can calculate time intervals and speed of sections of a distance-time graph.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- On a distance-time graph, a horizontal line means no distance was travelled for that time.
- A slanted line means that the distance from the start is changing over time.
- The distance travelled divided by the time taken gives the speed.
- You find this by considering the change in distance with respect to the change in time.
- This is how you find the gradient of the line, which is also the speed.
Keywords
Gradient - The gradient is a measure of how steep a line is. It is calculated by finding the rate of change in the $$y$$-direction with respect to the positive $$x$$-direction.
Displacement - Displacement is the distance from the starting point when measured in a straight line.
Common misconception
Not looking at units when calculating the gradient of the line to find speed.
A recap on compound measures and units may be helpful here. The units of compound measures tell us how to calculate the measure. E.g. km/h is the distance in km/ time in hours. Pupils need to check the units on their graphs and convert if needed.
To help you plan your year 11 maths lesson on: Distance-time graphs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 maths lesson on: Distance-time graphs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 4 maths lessons from the Real-life graphs unit, dive into the full secondary maths curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What number is the arrow pointing to on this number line?

Q2.Here is a distance-time graph for a journey. How far had been travelled after 1 hour?

Q3.Here is a distance-time graph for a journey. How far had been travelled after 3 hours?

Q4.On this displacement-time graph what does the line segment marked a) represent?

Q5.What is the gradient of this line?

Q6.The gradient of this line is .

Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.This is a distance-time graph for a journey. What was the total distance travelled?

Q2.This is a displacement-time graph for a journey. How far was travelled in total?

Q3.Here is a distance-time graph for a race car driving on a straight track. How fast is the car going?

Q4.What speed is the object travelling at between 4 and 6 hours? Give your answer in km/h.

Q5.The distance-time graph shows a two stage journey of an object. What is the average speed of this object?

Q6.The average speed for this journey is km/h.
