RPierre
Oct14-08, 01:05 AM
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
I am new to this board, but I am at my wits end trying to solve this problem. If anyone could provide a somewhat detailed solution i would forever be in debt, thanks!
One car, located at position (-29.9 , 0 ) is travelling at 12.7 m/s ( +x)
Another Car, located at position ( 0, -41.0) is travelling at 6.5 m/s ( +y)
+y Direction
^
|
|
----------> + x direction
Calculate the smallest distance between the two cars
2. Relevant equations
I created two functions :
p1 (t) = 12.7t - 29.9
p2 (t) = 6.5t - 41.0
Which represent the position of the cars, based on time, relative to the origin
3. The attempt at a solution
Using pythagorean theorom, i concluded the distance between them can be summarized as
d^2 = (p1(t))^2 + (p2(t))^2
Then i Attempt to solve the minumum of this function, which is where i always screw up.
The correct answer to the problem is 22.9 m
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
2. Relevant equations
3. The attempt at a solution
I am new to this board, but I am at my wits end trying to solve this problem. If anyone could provide a somewhat detailed solution i would forever be in debt, thanks!
One car, located at position (-29.9 , 0 ) is travelling at 12.7 m/s ( +x)
Another Car, located at position ( 0, -41.0) is travelling at 6.5 m/s ( +y)
+y Direction
^
|
|
----------> + x direction
Calculate the smallest distance between the two cars
2. Relevant equations
I created two functions :
p1 (t) = 12.7t - 29.9
p2 (t) = 6.5t - 41.0
Which represent the position of the cars, based on time, relative to the origin
3. The attempt at a solution
Using pythagorean theorom, i concluded the distance between them can be summarized as
d^2 = (p1(t))^2 + (p2(t))^2
Then i Attempt to solve the minumum of this function, which is where i always screw up.
The correct answer to the problem is 22.9 m
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
2. Relevant equations
3. The attempt at a solution