If d denotes the distance covered by a car in time t and s denotes the displacement by the car during the same time, then

Distance (d) is defined as the total length of the path traveled by an object, whereas displacement (s) is the shortest straight-line length between the initial and final positions. Because distance accounts for the entire route taken, it is a scalar quantity that can only be positive or zero. In contrast, displacement is a vector quantity representing the net change in position. If an object moves in a straight line without changing direction, the distance traveled equals the magnitude of displacement. However, if the object changes direction or follows a curved path, the distance covered will always be greater than the magnitude of the displacement. Therefore, the universal relationship between the two is that distance is always greater than or equal to the magnitude of displacement, expressed as d >= |s|.