[en] This paper analyses the downstream developments of the mean and the turbulent velocity fields of a plane jet. Based on the conservation of mass and the conservation of momentum, the mean-velocity half width (reflecting the jet spread rate) and the relative mass flow rate (jet entrainment) are related to the decay rate of the centreline mean velocity. These relations are not subject to self-preservation. Both analytical and experimental results suggest that the jet spread rate (K₁) and the entrainment rate (K₃) (and thus the decay rate K₂) can be well estimated from the centreline velocity, i.e., K₁ ≈ 0.6 K₂ and K₃ ∝ K₂. The effect of initial mean velocity and RMS velocity profiles on the downstream mean velocity field appears to be embodied in the constants K₁ K₂ and K₃. The analytical relationship for the self-preserving Reynolds shear stress, obtained for the first time, works well. (electromagnetism, optics, acoustics, heat transfer, classical mechanics, and fluid dynamics)