1. Distance Time Graphs

2. The two variables that exist in graphing are the dependent variable and the independent variable
The dependent variable is the factor that in an experiment that changes in response to the independent variable
The independent variable is the factor in an experiment that is changed by the invesitgator

3. Graph the data for a cyclist
On a distance time graph, time is usually the independent variable plotted on the x axis and distance is the dependent variable
Graph the data for a cyclist
Time (s)
Distance (m) 1 10 2 20 3 30 4 40 5 50 6 60

4. The line of the graph is straight pointing upwards to the right
The line of the graph is straight pointing upwards to the right. The dependent variable (distance) is increasing at a constant rate with the independent variable (time

5. Based on the information given calculate the speed :

6. Now calculate the slope of the line using the basic slope equation

7. What do you notice about the speed calculation and the slope calculation?

8. The rule for distance time graphs when calculating speed is that the slope of a line is equivalent to the speed of the object

9. Therefore, it makes logical sense that the steeper the slope of the line the greater the speed of the object.