Speed-Time Graph Analysis: Plotting Constant Vehicle Motion

Graph Interpretation with Horizontal Lines

Choose the graph that best represents the following:

The speed of a car (Y) as it travels at a constant speed as a function of time (X).

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Step-by-step written solution

Follow each step carefully to understand the complete solution
1

Understand the problem

Choose the graph that best represents the following:

The speed of a car (Y) as it travels at a constant speed as a function of time (X).

2

Step-by-step solution

Since the car's speed is constant and does not change throughout the journey, the graph will be constant.

The graph shown in answer D describes this correctly.

3

Final Answer

WeatherSpeed 000

Key Points to Remember

Essential concepts to master this topic
  • Constant Speed Rule: Same speed over time creates horizontal line graph
  • Graph Features: Y-axis shows speed, horizontal line means no change
  • Verification: Check that line stays at same height across all time values ✓

Common Mistakes

Avoid these frequent errors
  • Choosing sloped lines for constant motion
    Don't pick upward or downward sloping lines for constant speed = wrong representation! Sloped lines show changing speed over time, not constant speed. Always choose horizontal lines when the speed stays the same throughout the journey.

Practice Quiz

Test your knowledge with interactive questions

Is the function in the graph decreasing? yx

FAQ

Everything you need to know about this question

Why is the correct graph a horizontal line?

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A horizontal line means the y-value (speed) never changes as x-value (time) increases. Since the car travels at constant speed, the graph must be horizontal!

What would an upward sloping line mean?

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An upward slope means the car is accelerating - getting faster over time. This contradicts the problem statement of constant speed.

What about a downward sloping line?

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A downward slope means the car is decelerating - slowing down over time. Again, this isn't constant speed motion.

Where should the horizontal line be positioned?

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The horizontal line should be above the x-axis at whatever constant speed the car maintains. It cannot be on the x-axis because that would mean zero speed (not moving).

Do I need to know the exact speed value?

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No! The question asks for the shape of the graph. Any horizontal line above the x-axis correctly represents constant speed, regardless of the specific speed value.

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