Instantaneous Speed & Resistance: Prove Magnitude Proportional to Cube

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a particle moving along the x-axis under the influence of a resisting force, with the relationship between time and distance described by a quadratic equation. The goal is to demonstrate that the magnitude of the resisting force is proportional to the cube of the instantaneous speed, which involves calculus concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the use of the chain rule and the need to express velocity in terms of distance and time. There are questions about how to manipulate the given equation to find the velocity and the role of distance in the calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different approaches to derive the necessary relationships. Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of derivatives and the relationship between velocity and the given equation, but no consensus has been reached on the method to proceed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a calculus problem and are attempting to derive relationships without complete information on the resisting force's characteristics. There is an emphasis on correctly applying calculus principles to the problem.

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A particle moving along the x-axis is acted upon by a resisting force which is such that at a time t for it to travel a distance x is given by t=Ax^2+Bx+C, where A, B, and C are constants. show that the magnitude of the resisting force is proportional to the cube of the instantaneous speed.


I know the chain rule needs to be used and it is just a calculus problem, but I can't seem to start it.
 
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homestar2004 said:
A particle moving along the x-axis is acted upon by a resisting force which is such that at a time t for it to travel a distance x is given by t=Ax^2+Bx+C, where A, B, and C are constants. show that the magnitude of the resisting force is proportional to the cube of the instantaneous speed.


I know the chain rule needs to be used and it is just a calculus problem, but I can't seem to start it.

Start by writing down [itex]dt /dx = \cdots[/itex]
 
dt/dx= 2Ax+Bx

Now I know I need to get velocity, which is dx/dt, but the only way I can see is to multiply the above by dx/dt, and I don't know if that is right. What about the distance x? Where does it come in?
 
homestar2004 said:
dt/dx= 2Ax+Bx

Now I know I need to get velocity, which is dx/dt, but the only way I can see is to multiply the above by dx/dt, and I don't know if that is right. What about the distance x? Where does it come in?
HINT:

[tex]\frac{dx}{dt} = \frac{1}{\left(dt/dx\right)}[/tex]

You might also want to recheck your derivative.
 

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