Solving Definite Integral Problem: Average Velocity of Ball Dropped from Rest

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving a definite integral problem related to the average velocity of a ball dropped from rest. Participants explore the mathematical approach to determine the average velocities over specified time intervals, considering the effects of gravity and neglecting air resistance.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on whether to integrate the velocity function and what the function depends on.
  • Another participant provides the velocity function as v(t) = gt and suggests integrating to find average velocities over the intervals.
  • Average velocity formulas are proposed, with one participant indicating the need to compute the integrals over the specified time intervals.
  • A formula for the average of a function over an interval is shared, emphasizing the integration limits and the function's behavior.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants seem to agree on the need to integrate the velocity function to find average velocities, but there is no consensus on the specific steps or the interpretation of the results.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the integration limits and the application of the average velocity formula, as well as the dependence of the velocity function on time.

quarky
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Please help me! I got stuck on this problem:
(1) A ball is dropped from rest, and after t seconds its velocity is v ft/sec. Neglecting air resistance, show that the average velocity during the first T/2 seconds is 1/3 of the average velocity during the next T/2 seconds.
Will I integrate v? If so, what it is a function of?
 
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[tex]v(t)=gt[/tex]
[tex]<v_1>=\frac{1}{\frac{T}{2}}\int_0^{\frac{T}{2}}gtdt[/tex]
[tex]<v_2>=\frac{1}{\frac{T}{2}}\int_{\frac{T}{2}}^Tgtdt[/tex]
[tex]T=\frac{v}{g}[/tex]
You can figure out the rest I think.
 
Last edited:
quarky said:
Will I integrate v? If so, what it is a function of?
v is a function of time. Do you remember how to obtain the average of a function over an interval?
 
A = 1/(b-a) S f(x) dx, where S is the intergral from a to b as ur limits
 

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