From the original definition of acceleration, we have:

where

(1)

v = final velocity at time t u = initial velocity at time zero a = acceleration t = time elapses since the initial moment note that acceleration remains constant during the process. otherwise you will need to use integral which you will learn in Calculus. Using the fact that acceleration remain constant, the average velocity is:

va

(2)

The distance traveled from initial moment to the time t is:

s = Va t=(u + v)t/2
(3) can be rewritten as:

(3)

(4)

insert (4) into (1), we have:

This is equivalent to the following equation: v2=u2+2as Now we have your formula...:) .... Note the acceleration is considered constant, this is the condition for (2) and (3), otherwise you need to use calculus. Just give you an idea why (2) and (3) is correct in this special case (where the acceleration is constant). Consider the shadowed area of the following, note that the shadowed area is the distance traveled from initial moment to the time t:

velocity v

u time time t

s = ut + (v-u)t/2

(rectangle part + triangle part)

The above can be rewritten as: s = (u+v)t/2 However, if the acceleration does not remain constant, the velocity won't be a line but a curve, The above area calculation won't be correct. in that case, you need to use integral to calculate the area of the shadow. Of course integral can be used to calculate the area in the above simple case as well. by the way, the gravity acceleration is not a constant in reality. It does change as altitude changes, this is to say the acceleration caused by gravity, changes as altitude changes. In fact, it is the distance to the center of the earth that determines how strong gravity force is. since the radius of the earth is thousands of kilometers, a few meters addition or subtraction to that big distance won't make noticeable difference on the earth surface. If you go into space, it makes big difference.