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Maths 3 min read · 2025-11-30

Time, Distance and Speed in 11+ Maths

The triangle that solves nine out of ten time-and-speed questions — and the conversion mistakes to avoid.

Time and speed problems are almost always solved by the same triangle. If your child knows it, these questions become some of the easiest marks on the paper.

The triangle

Distance = Speed × Time. Cover the value you want, and the other two tell you what to do. Want distance? Speed times time. Want time? Distance divided by speed.

Watch the units

If speed is in km/h but the time is in minutes, convert one of them first. Practice now on speed-distance-time questions to drill the unit conversions.

Clock arithmetic

11+ questions often involve a journey "starting at 09:45, lasting 2 hours 35 minutes". Break it: 09:45 + 2h = 11:45; 11:45 + 35m = 12:20. Don't try to add in one go.

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