Speed from a timetable
A railway timetable lists when a train leaves and when it reaches. Can the timetable tell you the speed?
Step 1 of 3
- A made-up timetable: leaves 09:00, reaches 10:30, 90 km.
- Time taken: 10:30 − 09:00 = 1 h 30 min = 1.5 h.
- Speed: 90 ÷ 1.5 = 60 km/h.
Yes, if the timetable also lists the distance.
The rule
Time taken is the arrival time minus the leaving time. Speed is the distance divided by that time. This is the average speed.
Change minutes to hours first. Divide the minutes by 60. 45 min ÷ 60 = 0.75 h.
Watch out!
1 h 30 min is not 1.30 h. 30 min is 0.5 h, so write 1.5 h before you divide.
Now try it. Read the timetable. Tap the right time, speed or distance.
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