Derivation of v = vo + at


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Starting with the definition of acceleration (acceleration is change in velocity divided by change in time):

a = delta_v/delta_t

If you multiply both sides by delta_t, you get:

delta_v = a * delta_t

Since delta_v = v - vo:

v - vo = a * delta_t

Adding vo to both sides gives:

v = vo + at

This is the equation we want. Notice that it is essentially an algebraic rearrangement of the definition of acceleration.


last update August 4, 2001 by JL Stanbrough