Express Speed in Different Units

We will discuss how to express speed in different units. Speed in km/hour can also be expressed in meter per minute or metre per second.

Now we will learn to express given speed in km per hour into speed in metre per minutes or metre per second.


For this, we should remember the following conversion:

1 km = 1000 m

1 m = \(\frac{1}{1000}\) km

1 minute = \(\frac{1}{60}\) hour

1 minute = 60 seconds

1 second = \(\frac{1}{60}\) minute

Solved examples to express speed in different units:

1. The speed of a train is 45 km per hour. Calculate its speed in metres per second.

1 km = 1000 m

1 hour = 60 minutes; 1 minute = 60 seconds

1 hour = 60 × 60 seconds

Speed of the train = \(\frac{45 km}{1 hour}\)

                         = \(\frac{45 × 1000 m}{60 × 60 sec }\)

                         = \(\frac{25}{2}\) m/sec

                         = 12\(\frac{1}{2}\) m/sec.



2. Convert the following speed as desired.

(i) 80 meter per minute into km per hour

Speed = distance/time

         = \(\frac{80 meters}{1 minute}\)

         = \(\frac{\frac{80}{1000 km}}{\frac{1}{60 hour}}\)

         = \(\frac{80}{1000}\) × \(\frac{60}{1}\) km per hour

         = \(\frac{24}{5}\) km per hour

         = 4\(\frac{4}{5}\) km/hr

(ii) 20 m/second into km/hour

1 km = 1000 m

or, 1 m = \(\frac{1}{1000}\) km

20 m = \(\frac{20}{1000}\) km

1 hour = 60 × 60 = 3600 seconds

1 second = \(\frac{1}{3600}\) hour

But speed = distance ÷ time

              = \(\frac{20}{1000}\) ÷ \(\frac{1}{3600}\)

              = \(\frac{20}{1000}\) × 3600 km/hour

              = 72 km/hour

Speed Distance and Time.

To find Speed when Distance and Time are given.

To find the Distance when Speed and Time are given.

To find Time when Distance and Speed are given.

Worksheet on Speed, Distance and Time.







5th Grade Numbers

5th Grade Math Problems

From Express Speed in Different Units to HOME PAGE


New! Comments

Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. Ask a Question or Answer a Question.



Didn't find what you were looking for? Or want to know more information about Math Only Math. Use this Google Search to find what you need.



Share this page: What’s this?