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Your First Equation

Part of the Mechanics section of Coddy's Physics journey. Lesson 2 of 97.

Every quantity in a problem gets a letter: the distance is d, the time is t and the speed is v. The rule that connects them, in letters:

v=dtv = \frac{d}{t}

It says: the speed is the distance divided by the time.

The board asks for the rule in letters first, never the numbers: v = d / t, not v = 150 / 10. The same rule then works for every problem, and you can see which quantity went where.

Then, in Solve, the numbers go in and you work it out: v = 150 / 10 = 15. The last line needs its unit, because 15 alone does not say 15 what: v = 15 m/s15\ \mathrm{m/s}.

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Challenge

A cart rolls 30 m30\ \mathrm{m} in 6 s6\ \mathrm{s}. How fast does it roll? Call its speed v.

Try it yourself

Physics diagram: cart

Solve for vv

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This lesson includes a short quiz. Start the lesson to answer it and track your progress.

All lessons in Mechanics