Duration: 45 minutes
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
Quick review from Lesson 1:
Think about these questions:
We need a way to measure "how far"!
Definition: Distance is how far apart two places or objects are.
Examples around us:
Two main units:
Metre (m) - for shorter distances Kilometre (km) - for longer distances 1 kilometre = 1,000 metres
Remember: km is much longer than m!
Use metres (m) for short distances:
Metres are for things you can see or walk quickly
Use kilometres (km) for long distances:
Kilometres are for cities, journeys, long trips
To convert kilometres to metres, multiply by 1,000
3 km = 3 × 1,000 = 3,000 m 5 km = 5 × 1,000 = 5,000 m 0.5 km = 0.5 × 1,000 = 500 m
Why multiply? Metres are smaller, so we need MORE of them.
To convert metres to kilometres, divide by 1,000
2,000 m = 2,000 ÷ 1,000 = 2 km 7,000 m = 7,000 ÷ 1,000 = 7 km 500 m = 500 ÷ 1,000 = 0.5 km
Why divide? Kilometres are larger, so we need FEWER of them.
Which unit would you use?
Think: Metres or kilometres for each?
Good thinking!
Think about these:
But what exactly is speed?
Speed is how fast something or someone is moving
More precisely: Speed tells us the distance covered in a certain amount of time
Example: If you walk 5 km in 1 hour, your speed is 5 km per hour
Two common units:
Kilometres per hour (km/hr or km/h) Metres per second (m/sec or m/s)
The slash "/" means "per" or "in every"
The "/" means "per" = "in every"
km/hr means: "kilometres in every hour"
Examples:
Typical speeds:
If a car travels at 60 km/hr:
The speed stays the same, but distance increases with time
Which is faster?
Person A: walks at 4 km/hr Person B: walks at 6 km/hr
Person B is faster because they cover more distance (6 km) in the same time (1 hour)
Arrange these in order from slowest to fastest:
What's the order?
Correct order:
The larger the number, the faster the speed!
Speed always combines two things:
Example: 40 km/hr
You need BOTH to describe speed!
We use different units for different situations:
Both are correct, just used differently
Answer these questions:
Write answers in your exercise book
Speed tells us distance per unit of time
A matatu journey:
A matatu travels 60 km in 1 hour.
Questions:
Think about it!
Solution:
Speed = 60 km in 1 hour = 60 km/hr
In 2 hours at 60 km/hr:
Speed helps us predict distances!
Distance:
Speed:
Understanding distance and speed helps us:
Assignment:
Convert these distances:
Write whether you would measure these in metres or kilometres:
Answer: What does km/hr mean? Explain in your own words.
A boda-boda travels at 40 km/hr. What does this mean?
Expected time: 20 minutes
Tomorrow we will learn:
Bring your exercise book with completed homework!
Created: January 11, 2026 Based on: NCDC P6 Mathematics Curriculum - Topic 8: Distance, Time and Speed
Source: National Curriculum Development Centre (NCDC), Uganda