Use decimals for partial hours (e.g., 1.5 for 1 hr 30 mins)
Result
function updateDrtInputs() {
var mode = document.getElementById('solveFor').value;
var groupDist = document.getElementById('groupDistance');
var groupRate = document.getElementById('groupRate');
var groupTime = document.getElementById('groupTime');
// Reset visibility
groupDist.style.display = 'block';
groupRate.style.display = 'block';
groupTime.style.display = 'block';
// Hide the one we are solving for
if (mode === 'distance') {
groupDist.style.display = 'none';
} else if (mode === 'rate') {
groupRate.style.display = 'none';
} else if (mode === 'time') {
groupTime.style.display = 'none';
}
// Hide previous results when switching modes
document.getElementById('drtResult').style.display = 'none';
}
function calculatePhysics() {
var mode = document.getElementById('solveFor').value;
var d = parseFloat(document.getElementById('inputDistance').value);
var r = parseFloat(document.getElementById('inputRate').value);
var t = parseFloat(document.getElementById('inputTime').value);
var resultBox = document.getElementById('drtResult');
var finalValDisplay = document.getElementById('finalValue');
var stepsDisplay = document.getElementById('calculationSteps');
var calculatedValue = 0;
var explanation = "";
var unit = "";
// Logic check
if (mode === 'distance') {
if (isNaN(r) || isNaN(t)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for Rate and Time.");
return;
}
// d = r * t
calculatedValue = r * t;
unit = "Units of Distance";
explanation = "Formula: Distance = Rate × Time";
explanation += r + " × " + t + " = " + calculatedValue;
}
else if (mode === 'rate') {
if (isNaN(d) || isNaN(t)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for Distance and Time.");
return;
}
if (t === 0) {
alert("Time cannot be zero.");
return;
}
// r = d / t
calculatedValue = d / t;
unit = "Units of Speed";
explanation = "Formula: Rate = Distance / Time";
explanation += d + " / " + t + " = " + calculatedValue.toFixed(2);
calculatedValue = calculatedValue.toFixed(2);
}
else if (mode === 'time') {
if (isNaN(d) || isNaN(r)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers for Distance and Rate.");
return;
}
if (r === 0) {
alert("Rate/Speed cannot be zero.");
return;
}
// t = d / r
calculatedValue = d / r;
unit = "Hours/Units";
explanation = "Formula: Time = Distance / Rate";
explanation += d + " / " + r + " = " + calculatedValue.toFixed(2);
// Format time nicely if it looks like hours
var hrs = Math.floor(calculatedValue);
var mins = Math.round((calculatedValue – hrs) * 60);
if (mins === 60) { hrs++; mins = 0; }
explanation += "Time Conversion: " + hrs + " hours and " + mins + " minutes.";
calculatedValue = calculatedValue.toFixed(2);
}
finalValDisplay.innerHTML = calculatedValue + " " + unit + "";
stepsDisplay.innerHTML = explanation;
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
}
// Initialize state
updateDrtInputs();
Understanding the Distance Rate Time Formula
The relationship between distance, rate (speed), and time is a fundamental concept in physics and everyday mathematics. Whether you are planning a road trip, calculating arrival times for logistics, or solving physics problems, understanding the d = rt formula is essential.
d = r × t
In this equation:
d (Distance): The total length of the path traveled. Common units include miles, kilometers, meters, or feet.
r (Rate/Speed): The speed at which the object is moving. Common units include miles per hour (mph), kilometers per hour (km/h), or meters per second (m/s).
t (Time): The duration for which the object moves. Common units are hours, minutes, or seconds.
How to Use the 3 Variations
This calculator automatically applies the correct algebraic rearrangement of the formula based on which variable you are trying to find.
1. Solving for Distance
If you know how fast you are going and how long you have been traveling, you can calculate the distance.
Formula:Distance = Rate × Time
Example: A car travels at 60 mph for 2 hours. Calculation: 60 × 2 = 120 miles.
2. Solving for Rate (Speed)
If you know the distance traveled and the time it took to get there, you can determine the average speed.
Formula:Rate = Distance ÷ Time
Example: A runner completes a 10-kilometer race in 1 hour. Calculation: 10 ÷ 1 = 10 km/h.
3. Solving for Time
If you know the distance to your destination and your average speed, you can predict your arrival time.
Formula:Time = Distance ÷ Rate
Example: You need to travel 200 miles and your average speed is 50 mph. Calculation: 200 ÷ 50 = 4 hours.
Important Note on Units
When using the Distance Rate Time formula, consistency is key. If your speed is in miles per hour, your time must be in hours, and the resulting distance will be in miles. If you input time in minutes but speed in mph, you must convert the minutes to hours first (divide minutes by 60) to get an accurate result.