Which graph represents the higher derivatives of a car's position function?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying the higher derivatives of a car's position function based on a provided graph. The subject area pertains to calculus, specifically the concepts of derivatives and their graphical representations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to determine the order of the graphs representing position, velocity, acceleration, and jerk based on their shapes. Some participants question the relationship between the function's critical points and its derivatives, while others suggest examining the characteristics of polynomial functions in relation to their derivatives.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different aspects of the problem. Some guidance has been offered regarding the analysis of graph shapes and their implications for identifying derivatives, but no consensus has been reached on the correct identification of the graphs.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of an attachment that has not yet been approved, which may contain critical information for the discussion. The urgency of the question is also noted, indicating a time constraint for the original poster.

dekoi
This question is more theory than anything else.

I am given the graph attached:

This graph shows four functions.
1.) Position function of a car. ([tex]f(x)[/tex])
2.) Velocity of the car. ([tex]f'(x)[/tex])
3.) Acceleration of the car. ([tex]f''(x)[/tex])
4.) Jerk of the car. ([tex]f'''(x)[/tex])

I have to identify which graph is which (out of a, b, c, & d), and explain why this is so.

However, I have no idea how to do this.
I am assuming that the order is A, B, C, then D. However, this is based solely on observing the shapes of the graphs (since higher derivatives become more linear), but I do not know the theory to explain this.

Any input is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 

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I can't see the attachment yet, but when a certain function reaches a (local) extreme value (minimum or maximum), its derivative is zero. This is also true when the initial function has a horizontal tangent line, which is more general than having an extreme value (it allows e.g. inflections points too).
 
Can somebody please approve this attachment?
This is an urgent question.
 
Some basic advice to problems like this is to look at the shapes of the graphs. Do they look like piecewise functions or polynomials? If they look like polynomials, then you know that with each derivative the graph will lose a power.
 

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