Get Help on Integral Calculus: Velocity & Distance Equation

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a problem in integral calculus related to the relationship between velocity, distance, and acceleration. Participants explore the implications of given conditions and the challenges in deriving a solution based on the provided information.

Discussion Character

  • Homework-related
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks help with an integral calculus problem involving velocity and distance, given specific conditions for acceleration, velocity, and distance.
  • Another participant states that velocity is the integral of acceleration and position is the integral of velocity, suggesting that the integration variable is time.
  • A participant outlines the relationships between position, velocity, and acceleration, but later admits to making a mistake in their explanation.
  • Some participants express that the problem, as stated, is impossible to solve due to having two unknowns and only one additional condition.
  • One participant proposes that knowing the acceleration is constant allows for a formulation of velocity and position equations, but notes that the problem still contains an unknown time variable.
  • Another participant suggests adding a disclaimer to clarify assumptions about the starting point in the problem.
  • A different approach is mentioned, involving a relationship between acceleration, velocity, and distance, indicating an alternative method to tackle the problem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the solvability of the problem, with some asserting it is impossible to solve as stated, while others propose methods and assumptions that could lead to a solution. No consensus is reached regarding the best approach or the validity of the problem's formulation.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights limitations in the problem's wording, particularly regarding the number of unknowns and the conditions provided. The dependence on assumptions about initial conditions is also noted.

franz32
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I need guidance (updated)

The website has changed a lot! Very beautiful and attactive! I like it.

Well, I need help. This is on integral calculus :rolleyes: . How do I find an equation involving the velocity "v" and the distance "s" given that the acceleration "a" is 800; and that v = 20 when s = 1?
 
Last edited:
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Velocity(v) is the integral of the acceleration function. Position(s) is the integral of the velocity function. The variable that you're integrating with respect to is t. I hope this helps you, it's pretty easy from there =P
 
s(t) = position
s'(t) = v(t) = velocity
s''(t) = v'(t) = a(t) = acceleration

(EDIT: Sorry...See below...I made a mistake).
 
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Yes, you have to say v(t) = 20 and s(t) = 1
 
After trying this problem for quite some time, I have realized that in its present wording, it is impossible to solve :)
 
philosophking said:
After trying this problem for quite some time, I have realized that in its present wording, it is impossible to solve :)

Right. There will be two unknowns and only one additional condition.

Since the acceleration is a constant 800, the velocity at any time t is
v(t)= 800t+ v0 where v0 is the (unkown) velocity at time t=0. The position is s(t)= 400t2+ v0t+ s0 where s0 is the (unknown) position at time t= 0.

Knowing that v(t)= 20 and s(t)= 1 for some t allows us to reduce to only one unknown but not get rid of both. If we knew what that "t" was, then we could answer this question.
 
Wouldn't the sensible thing be to add a disclaimer like, "...assuming the starting point to be zero, we find that..."
 
Thank you for all of ur helps. =)
 
Oh... I think there's another way one can solve it:

a = dv/dt = dv/ds X ds/dt = v X dv/ds
 

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