Beginner · 10 min
Time and average speed
Calculate elapsed time and use distance, speed, and time together.
Convert time carefully
An hour contains 60 minutes, so half an hour is 30 minutes, not 50. Convert minutes to hours before using speeds given per hour.
Worked example
90 minutes = 90 ÷ 60 = 1.5 hours
Use average speed
Average speed is total distance divided by total elapsed time. It describes the whole journey, even when the speed changes.
Worked example
120 km in 2 hours gives an average speed of 60 km/h.
Plan a journey
- Calculate the time needed to travel 150 kilometres at an average of 60 kilometres per hour.
- Convert your result into hours and minutes.