Question

How to find the gradient of a velocity time graph

Answer 1

The area-

The area under the line in a velocity-time graph represents the distance travelled. To find the distance travelled in the graph above, we need to find the area of the light-blue triangle and the dark-blue rectangle.

Area of light-blue triangle -
The width of the triangle is 4 seconds and the height is 8 meters per second. To find the area, you use the equation: area of triangle = 1⁄2 × base × height so the area of the light-blue triangle is 1⁄2 × 8 × 4 = 16m. Area of dark-blue rectangle The width of the rectangle is 6 seconds and the height is 8 meters per second. So the area is 8 × 6 = 48m. Area under the whole graph The area of the light-blue triangle plus the area of the dark-blue rectangle is:16 + 48 = 64m.This is the total area under the distance-time graph. This area represents the distance covered.