you want v2 = v1 + at
v is measured in m/s, a in m/s2, and t in s.
the dimensions multiply like algebraic quantities.
so because v2 is measured in m/s, then (v1 + at) has to come out in m/s
the units for (v1 + at) are (m/s) + (m/s2)(s)
time "s" cancels out one acceleration "s", so it comes ut to (m/s) + (m/s), which = (m/s).
if you had (v1t + a), then you would have (m/s)(s) + (m/s2) which = (m) + (m/s2), which doesn't work.