Mathematics in Motion: Analyzing Speed and Distance Using Simple Formulas

Abstract

Mathematics touches almost every part of our daily living and is vital to inhibiting our understanding of movement, as a species, and the earth around us. In this paper, we assess movement from multiple perspectives using basic concepts from mathematics such as speed and distance. We establish definitions for average speed and instantaneous speed, followed by equations for combining distance with time, and then references to examples that illustrate the everyday use of vehicles, walking as a person, and free-falling objects to underline the aforementioned equations. The paper also discusses, while looking at small sections of motion, it is helpful to look at motion as a change with graphical representations, this means we are picturing a change which will support the readers understanding about mathematical relations. This paper hopes to promote the mathematical thinking involved in thinking about motion, and the mathematics to support the beauty of math in interpreting our natural world and human interactions.