The speed–distance–time triangle

Distance equals speed times time, and that one equation gives three formulas. The triangle puts distance on top and speed and time below it. Cover the quantity you want and the other two show what to do: side by side means multiply, one over the other means divide. Know any two and you have the third.

Distance (d)

Speed (v)

Time (t)= 3 h 20 min · from t = d / v

Point at or tab to a formula to see what it uses and where it comes from.

Show the work

Step 1: Timet = \frac{d}{v} = \frac{(300\,\mathrm{km})}{(90\,\mathrm{km/h})} = 3.333\,\mathrm{h}

How the formulas connect

The triangle is a memory aid for $d = vt$ . Cover $d$ : $v$ and $t$ sit side by side, so multiply. Cover $v$ : $d$ is over $t$ , so $v = d/t$ . Cover $t$ : $t = d/v$ . Keep the units matched — kilometers with km/h and hours.

Print the master key

See it in action

Linear Equations
Speed, distance, time: how long is the drive?
Distance is speed times time. Rearrange it and you know when you’ll arrive.

Questions people ask

How does the speed distance time triangle work?

Cover the quantity you want. If the other two are side by side, multiply them; if one is above the other, divide the top by the bottom.

Why do my units matter?

The formulas only work when the units match. Use km with km/h and hours, or miles with mph and hours. The unit menus convert for you.

The speed–distance–time triangle

Show the work

How the formulas connect

See it in action

Speed, distance, time: how long is the drive?

Questions people ask