Super Mario Maker moving platforms maths mission
A practical mini-mission using moving platforms to practise speed through questions, examples and child-friendly challenges.
Quick answer
Super Mario Maker moving platforms maths mission helps you learn speed by working out how fast you need to move to complete a challenge, using time, distance, and patterns.
Learning outcome
By the end of this page, you will understand how to calculate speed using distance and time, and you'll be able to solve simple speed problems using moving platforms in Super Mario Maker or real-life situations.
- You can work out how fast you are going using distance and time
- You can solve simple speed problems using a moving platform challenge
- You can imagine and draw how fast you need to go to complete a task
- You can use real-world examples like walking to school or riding a bike
Why this matters
Speed is how fast something moves. Learning to calculate speed helps you understand how long it takes to get somewhere, how fast a car or bike goes, or how well you can complete a task. In Super Mario Maker, you need to move fast to avoid falling or catch coins. In real life, it helps you know if you're running late or how long it takes to walk to school.
How it works
Speed is calculated by dividing the distance you travel by the time it takes. The formula is:
Speed = Distance ÷ Time
Let's break it down step by step:
- Measure how far you travel (distance)
- Measure how long it takes (time)
- Divide distance by time to get speed
For example, if you walk 10 metres in 5 seconds, your speed is 10 ÷ 5 = 2 metres per second.
Examples you can see
Imagine you are in a Super Mario Maker level with a moving platform that moves 6 metres every 3 seconds. What is your speed?
Step 1: Distance = 6 metres
Step 2: Time = 3 seconds
Step 3: Speed = 6 ÷ 3 = 2 metres per second
This means the platform moves 2 metres every second. If you need to jump to it, you must move at least that fast!
Here's a table showing how speed changes with distance and time:
| Distance (metres) | Time (seconds) | Speed (metres per second) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 5 | 2 |
| 12 | 4 | 3 |
| 15 | 5 | 3 |
| 20 | 10 | 2 |
Try it as a mini adventure
Let’s go on a Super Mario Maker speed adventure!
Adventure: You are in a level with moving platforms. You must reach the end before a timer runs out. The platforms move 8 metres every 4 seconds. You must calculate how fast you need to move to catch them.
4th time: Platform moves 8 metres in 4 seconds
5th time: What is the speed of the platform?
6th time: If you need to reach the end 10 metres away, how long will it take?
7th time: If you can move 2 metres per second, will you make it in time?
8th time: What if the platform moves 12 metres in 3 seconds? What is the new speed?
9th time: If the platform moves 12 metres in 3 seconds, how long does it take to travel 24 metres?
Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking speed is distance plus time
- Why it happens: Confusing speed with addition
- Fix: Remember speed = distance ÷ time, not distance + time
- Mistake: Not using the same units for distance and time
- Why it happens: Mixing metres and centimetres or seconds and minutes
- Fix: Make sure all measurements use the same units (e.g., all in metres and seconds)
- Mistake: Forgetting to divide
- Why it happens: Rushing through the problem
- Fix: Always divide distance by time to get speed
Parent and carer guide
Parents and carers can help by:
- Encouraging children to draw or act out speed problems
- Using real-life examples like walking to school or cycling
- Practising with simple speed calculations using seconds and metres
- Playing Super Mario Maker with children and discussing platform speeds
- Helping children check their answers using a calculator or by re-reading the problem
Try this at home: Ask your child to calculate how fast they walk or run in metres per second. Measure a 10-metre path and time how long it takes. Then calculate the speed!
Practice questions
- Platform moves 12 metres in 3 seconds. What is the speed?
- Platform moves 15 metres in 5 seconds. What is the speed?
- Platform moves 8 metres in 2 seconds. What is the speed?
- Platform moves 20 metres in 4 seconds. What is the speed?
- Platform moves 18 metres in 6 seconds. What is the speed?
Answers:
- 4 metres per second
- 3 metres per second
- 4 metres per second
- 5 metres per second
- 3 metres per second
FAQ
What is speed?
Speed is how fast something moves. It is measured by how far something travels in a certain amount of time.
How do you calculate speed?
Speed is calculated by dividing the distance you travel by the time it takes. The formula is Speed = Distance ÷ Time.
Can speed be measured in different ways?
Yes, speed can be measured in metres per second, kilometres per hour, or miles per hour. In this page, we use metres per second.
Why is speed important in games like Super Mario Maker?
In Super Mario Maker, understanding speed helps you plan how fast to move to catch platforms, avoid enemies, or collect coins.
How can I practice speed at home?
You can practice by timing how long it takes to walk or run a certain distance, then calculating your speed. You can also play Super Mario Maker and discuss platform speeds with your child.