Date: 13/03/2023

Class: #35

Syllabus Topic: Motion Graphs

Title: Distance vs. Time Graphs, Speed vs. Time Graphs, Conversion between units, Linear
Programming Question

Motion Graphs

There are two types of motion graphs we will look at:

• Distance vs. Time Graph

• Speed vs. Time Graph

Note that there are 2 types of quantities. They are called scalar and vector quantities

Scalar Quantity Vector Quantity

➢ has magnitude only ➢ has magnitude and direction

➢ Example: distance ➢ Example: displacement

Consider:
NE

▪ represents distance ▪ represents displacement

▪ walked a distance of 10 km ▪ walked 10 km in the
▪ just a magnitude direction of NE (North East)
▪ magnitude and direction
We will be looking mainly at scalar quantities in Mathematics such as:

o time

o distance

o speed

Quantity Unit Symbol for unit

Time second 𝑠

Distance metre 𝑚

Speed metre per second 𝑚/𝑠 or 𝑚𝑠 −1

Acceleration metre per second squared 𝑚/𝑠 2 or 𝑚𝑠 −2

Speed

Speed is defined as the rate of change of distance. It is the distance moved per unit time.

Formula:

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆
Speed = 𝑻𝒊𝒎𝒆

Distance = Speed × Time

Unit for speed: 𝑚/𝑠 or 𝑚𝑠 −1

Other units include: 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

Note that for the units of speed:

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
Speed = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
Distance is measured in metres (𝑚).
𝑚
= Time is measured in seconds (𝑠).
𝑠

= 𝑚/𝑠 or 𝑚𝑠 −1

Example:

Person A ran 10 km in 2 hours. 10 km

2 hours

15 km 2 hours
Person B ran 15 km in 2 hours.

Who ran faster?

Answer:

Person B ran a longer distance at the same time.

Therefore, person B ran faster.

Acceleration

Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of speed.

Unit for acceleration: 𝑚/𝑠 2 or 𝑚𝑠 −2

Example 1:

A car and a truck initially has a speed of 0 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟. In other words, they are stationary

(standing still). After 10 seconds, the car is moving with a speed of 140 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟 and the truck

is moving with a speed of 80 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟.

0 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟 After 10 𝑠 140 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

Car

After 10 𝑠 80 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟
0 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

Truck

Which vehicle has the greater acceleration?

Answer:

The car has the greater acceleration.

Example 2:

A car has an initial speed of 100 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟. A truck has an initial speed of 10 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟. After 10

seconds, the car is moving with a speed of 140 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟 and the truck is moving with a speed

of 80 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟.

100 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟 After 10 𝑠 140 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

Car

After 10 𝑠 80 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟
10 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

Truck

Which vehicle has the greater acceleration?

Answer:

The truck has the greater acceleration.

Distance vs. Time Graphs

Example:

The graph below shows the distance travelled by two balls, A and B, for 2 seconds.

Distance (𝑚)

Time (𝑠)

(a) Which ball had the greater speed?

(b) What was the speed of ball A?

Solution:

(a) A took 2 seconds to reach 5m whereas B took 2 seconds to reach 2m.

Since ball A reached further, ball A had the greater speed.

 (b) Question: What do you think the gradient of a distance-time graph represents?

Answer: Speed

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
Speed of ball A = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

5
=2

= 2.5 𝑚/𝑠 or 2.5 𝑚𝑠 −1

OR

Consider (0 , 0) and A(2 , 5)

(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 )

𝑦 −𝑦
Gradient, m = 𝑥2−𝑥1
2 1

5−0
= 2−0

5
=2

= 2.5 𝑚/𝑠 or 2.5 𝑚𝑠 −1

∴ The speed of ball A is 2.5 𝑚/𝑠 or 2.5 𝑚𝑠 −1.

 Worked Example 1

The distance-time graph shows the distance travelled by John over a period of 9 hours.

Distance (𝑘𝑚)

D E
Town Q

B C
Town P

A F
Town O
Time (ℎ𝑟)

(a) What is the distance of Town P from Town O?

(b) What is the distance of Town Q from Town P?

(c) What is the total distance travelled?

(d) What was his total displacement?

(e) Explain what John was doing from point B to point C.

(f) During which part of the journey was he travelling the fastest?
 (g) How long did the entire journey take?

(h) What was his speed from C to D?

(i) What was his average speed for the entire journey?

Solution:

(a) The distance of Town P from Town O is 3 km.

(b) The distance of Town Q from Town P is 2 km.

(c) John travelled from Town O to Town P = 3 km

Then he travelled from Town P to Town Q = 2 km

Finally, he travelled back from Town Q to Town O = 5 km

Therefore, the total distance travelled = 3 + 2 + 5

= 10 km

(d) John travelled from Town O to Town P to Town Q and then finally, back to Town O.

Therefore, his displacement would be 0 km.

(e) During point B to point C, he was at rest for 2 hours.

(f) He was travelling the fastest from point E to F.

(g) The entire journey took 9 hours.

(h) To calculate his speed from Town P to Town Q, we consider from point C to point D.

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
Speed = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

2
=1

= 2 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

OR

Consider C(4 , 3) and D(5 , 5)

(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 )

𝑦 −𝑦
Gradient, m = 𝑥2−𝑥1
2 1

5−3
=
5−4

2
=1

= 2 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟
 ∴ His speed from C to D is 2 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟.

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
(i) Average speed for the journey = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

10
= 9

= 1.11 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

Speed vs. Time Graphs

Example:

The speed-time graph shows the journey of a drone over a period of 1.25 hours.

Speed (𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟)

B C

A E
Time (ℎ𝑟)
 (a) At which two points was the drone at rest?

(b) When was the speed the greatest?

(c) How long was the period in hours between point B to point C?

(d) How long was the period in minutes between point C to point D?

(e) How long did the entire journey take in minutes?

Solution:

(a) The drone was at rest at point A and at point E.

Note that when at rest, the speed is equal to 0 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟.

(b) The greatest speed occurred at point D.

(c) The period between point B and point C is 30 minutes which is equivalent to 0.5

hours.

(d) The period between point C and point D is 0.25 hours which is equivalent to 15

minutes.

(e) 1.25 hours = 1.25 × 60

= 75 minutes
 ∴ The entire journey took 75 minutes.

Summary of important points

Distance vs. Time Speed vs. Time

Gradient speed acceleration

zero speed constant speed

(at rest)

▪ distance increasing ▪ speed increasing

▪ constant speed ▪ constant acceleration

▪ (forward direction)

▪ distance increasing ▪ speed decreasing

in opposite direction ▪ constant deceleration

▪ constant speed

▪ (reverse direction)

Note:

In a speed vs. time graph, if you work out the AREA under the graph, you will find the

DISTANCE.
Question

The speed vs. time graph below shows the journey of a drone over a period of time.

Speed (𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟)

B C

A D
Time (𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑠)

(a) At which two points was the drone at rest?

(b) What was the top speed of the drone?

(c) What was the acceleration of the drone from A to B?

(d) How long was the entire journey?

(e) What was the total distance covered by the drone?

 (f) What was the average speed of the drone?

Solution:

(a) The drone was at rest at point A and at point D.

(b) The top speed of the drone was 40 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟.

(c) To calculate the acceleration between A to B,

Consider A(0 , 0) and B(1 , 40)

(𝑥1 , 𝑦1 ) (𝑥2 , 𝑦2 )

𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑
Acceleration = 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒

𝑦 −𝑦
= 𝑥2−𝑥1
2 1

40−0
= 1−0

= 40 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟 2

(d) The entire journey was 180 minutes or 3 hours.

(e) To find the total distance covered by the drone, we find the area under the graph.

1
Area under graph = 2 (𝑎 + 𝑏)ℎ

1
= 2 (1.5 + 3)40

= 20(4.5)

= 90 𝑘𝑚
 ∴ The total distance covered by the drone is 90 𝑘𝑚.

𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
(f) Average Speed = 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

90
= 3

= 30 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

Conversion between 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟 and 𝑚/𝑠

To convert 𝒌𝒎/𝒉𝒓 to 𝒎/𝒔:

𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎
Multiply by 1000 and then divide by 3600 OR × 𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎

To convert 𝒎/𝒔 to 𝒌𝒎/𝒉𝒓:

𝟑𝟔𝟎𝟎
Divide by 1000 and then multiply by 3600 OR × 𝟏𝟎𝟎𝟎

Worked Examples

Example 1:

Convert 80 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟 to 𝑚/𝑠.

Answer:

80 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

(× 1000)

80 000 𝑚/ℎ𝑟

(÷ 3600)
 80 000 2
We get = 229 𝑚/𝑠
3600

Example 2:

Convert 80 𝑚/𝑠 to 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟.

Answer:

80 𝑚/𝑠

(× 3600)

288 000 𝑚/ℎ𝑟

(÷ 1000)

288 000
We get = 288 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟
1000
Linear Programming

There are 3 main types of lines that you must be able to draw.

1. 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 where 𝑎 is a constant

2. 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐 where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are constants

3. 𝑥 = 𝑎 or 𝑦 = 𝑎 where 𝑎 is a constant

1. Consider 𝒚 = 𝒙.

Some points on this line would be (1, 1) , (2, 2) , (3, 3) , etc.

Example:

𝟏
Consider 𝒚 = 𝟐 𝒙.

1 3
Some points on this line would be (1, 2) , (2, 1) , (3, 2) , etc.

Consider 𝒚 = 𝟐𝒙.

Some points on this line would be (1,2) , (2, 4) , (3,6) , etc.

2. Consider 𝒙 + 𝒚 = 𝟓.

When 𝑥 = 0, 𝑦 = 5.

When 𝑦 = 0, 𝑥 = 5.

So two points on the graph are (0, 5) and (5, 0).

3. Consider 𝒙 = 𝟓.

This is a vertical line that cuts the 𝑥-axis at (5, 0).

Along this line, the 𝑥-coordinate will always be 5.

Some points on this line are (5, 0) , (5, 1) , (5, 2) , etc.

𝒙=𝟓
Example:

Consider 𝒚 = 𝟑.

This is a horizontal line that cuts the 𝑦-axis at (0, 3).

Along this line, the 𝑦-coordinate will always be 3.

Some points on this line are (0, 3) , (1, 3) , (2, 3) , etc.

𝒚=𝟑
In linear programming, you will have to identify the region that satisfy the given inequalities.

Identify the region that satisfies both of the following inequalities:

𝑥+𝑦 ≤5

𝑦≤𝑥
June 2021 – Question 8(a)

Marla buys 2 types of mobile phones, B-Flo and C-Flex, from a company to retail. One B-Flo

mobile phone costs $60 while one C-Flex costs $80. She buys 𝑥 number of B-Flo phones and

𝑦 number of C-Flex phones.

(a)(i) Marla must not spend more than $1 200. Write an inequality to represent this

information. [1]

(ii) The number of B-Flo phones must be greater than or equal to the number of C-Flex

phones. Write down an inequality in 𝑥 and 𝑦 to show this information. [1]

(iii) Represent the two inequalities on page 22 on the grid shown below.

Label as 𝑅 the region which satisfies both inequalities. [4]

 (iv) The total number of mobile phones is represented by 𝑥 + 𝑦. According to the

graph on page 23, what is the largest possible value of 𝑥 + 𝑦? [1]

Solution:

(a) (i) Marla must not spend more than $1 200. Write an inequality to represent this

information. [1]

Inequality: 60𝑥 + 80𝑦 ≤ 1200

(ii) The number of B-Flo phones must be greater than or equal to the number of C-Flex

phones. Write down an inequality in 𝑥 and 𝑦 to show this information. [1]

Inequality: 𝑥≥𝑦
(iii) Represent the two inequalities on page 22 on the grid shown below. Label as 𝑅 the

region which satisfies both inequalities. [4]

𝐷
𝑥
 Note: The scaling on the 𝑦-axis of the graph on the question paper contained an error.

The inequalities are:

60𝑥 + 80𝑦 ≤ 1200

𝑥≥𝑦

Rewriting the inequalities as equations:

60𝑥 + 80𝑦 ≤ 1200

60𝑥 + 80𝑦 = 1200

3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 60

and

𝑥≥𝑦

𝑦=𝑥

Consider 3𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 60.

When 𝑥 = 0,

3(0) + 4𝑦 = 60

4𝑦 = 60
60
𝑦= 4

𝑦 = 15
 So we have the point (0, 15).

When 𝑦 = 0,

3𝑥 + 4(0) = 60

3𝑥 = 60
60
𝑥= 3

𝑥 = 20

So we have the point (20, 0).

(iv) The total number of mobile phones is represented by 𝑥 + 𝑦. According to the graph

on page 23, what is the largest possible value of 𝑥 + 𝑦? [1]

The vertices are (0, 0) , (20, 0) and (8.75, 8.75).

The highest number of 𝑥 + 𝑦 occur at point 𝐷 where 𝑥 = 20 and 𝑦 = 0.

∴ The largest possible value of 𝑥 + 𝑦 is 20.