Calculate Average Velocity: Get Help Here!

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating average velocity, specifically in the context of a graph where the position at a certain time is not explicitly provided. Participants are attempting to understand how to derive average velocity from given data points and the associated graph.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are discussing the formula for average velocity and expressing confusion about the position at a specific time. There are attempts to clarify the equation and the necessary components for solving the problem. Some participants are questioning the validity of their assumptions regarding the position values.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the problem with various participants providing insights and suggestions. Some guidance has been offered regarding measuring values from the graph, while others are discussing the implications of the graph's linearity on the average velocity calculation. No consensus has been reached on the correct approach yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem does not provide exact position values at t = 5 and emphasizes the importance of not estimating these values. There is also mention of a specific range for the position, which adds to the complexity of the discussion.

sfgradv
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Does anyone know how to do this? Thanks!
 

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Yes I do, and you're welcome.

On this forum, you are expected to show your work so we can help you progress. We will not give you the answer. SO, what have you done so far? Can you at least tell me what is the equation for the average velocity?
 
delta v over delta t. i don't no the velocity for t = 5.
 
hello I am guessing since ave velocity is m/s you can get the velocity by looking at the y-axis aka the position in meters. Then you have the components for solving the problem, right? Others-feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.
 
the thing is it doesn't tell u exactly what the position is at t = 5. it is between 40 - 60 and it said not to eyeball it. i thought it was 45 and i used it in the formula and got 6.3 and got the wrong answer. so what should i do now?
 
sfgradv said:
delta v over delta t.

That's the formula for average acceleration. Average velocity is [itex]\Delta x / \Delta t[/itex].
 
yea sorry. i meant delta x over delta. i still don't no how to do it and its 3 am now! i have to go to sleep. ahhhhh. can someone please help me quick?
 
sfgradv said:
the thing is it doesn't tell u exactly what the position is at t = 5. it is between 40 - 60 and it said not to eyeball it. i thought it was 45 and i used it in the formula and got 6.3 and got the wrong answer. so what should i do now?

Get out a ruler, and carefully measure (a) the distance between the x = 40 and x = 60 lines on the graph, and (b) the distance between the x = 40 line and the point where the graph intersects the t = 5 line. That will give you enough information to calculate x at t = 5 (more precisely, x - 40).
 
Don't worry about t=5. Since the graph is a straight line, the velocity is a constant there. It looks to me like t= 4.5, x= 60 and when t= 6, x= 20. velocity at t= 5 should be (20- 60)/(6-4.5) (which is no where NEAR 6.3!)
 

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