Kinematics cheat sheet

1. Key formulas

• v = v₀ + at • x = x₀ + v₀ t + ½ a t² • v² = v₀² + 2a(x − x₀)

2. Sign conventions

Pick your positive direction first and stick with it. Down-as-positive is fine if everything else follows.

3. Common traps

Confusing average velocity with instantaneous velocity. Forgetting units. Mixing reference frames.