Finding Average Velocity between .7 m/s and -1.25 m/s

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the average velocity given two separate velocity values: a maximum of 0.7 m/s and a minimum of -1.25 m/s. Participants are exploring how to find the average velocity in this context, particularly when the velocities are not derived from initial and final positions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning how to calculate average velocity when only the highest and lowest velocities are known, rather than initial and final velocities. There are discussions about the formula for average and the implications of dividing by the number of samples.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants raising questions about the assumptions underlying the calculation of average velocity. Some suggest that additional information about the motion (e.g., whether it changes smoothly or oscillates) is necessary to determine the average velocity accurately.

Contextual Notes

There is a recognition that without knowing the initial and final positions or the nature of the velocity changes, it may not be possible to calculate the average velocity accurately. Participants are considering the implications of these constraints on their calculations.

Petrucciowns
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So far when calculating velocity I have used Initial velocity and Final velocity, but now I need to calculate the average velocity when given two separate velocity values, the highest velocity and the lowest velocity. So how would I find the average of velocity when I have a high of .7 m/s and a low of -1.25 m/s.

Thanks
 
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\bar{x} = \frac{\Sigma x}{N}OR to make life easier, the mean of 2 and 3 is (2+3)/5EDIT: yeah should be (2+3)/2
 
Last edited:
Wait.. ,but if you divide anything by itself it is going to equal one. Also, how would I read that equation? I don't really understand it.
 
Petrucciowns said:
Wait.. ,but if you divide anything by itself it is going to equal one. Also, how would I read that equation? I don't really understand it.

N is the number of samples you have. In your case, 2. I think he meant to divide by 2.
 
Petrucciowns said:
So far when calculating velocity I have used Initial velocity and Final velocity, but now I need to calculate the average velocity when given two separate velocity values, the highest velocity and the lowest velocity. So how would I find the average of velocity when I have a high of .7 m/s and a low of -1.25 m/s.

Thanks
Actually there's not enough information to answer that. Does the velocity change smoothly (i.e. at a constant rate) from the high velocity to the low velocity, or from the low velocity to the high velocity? Or does it oscillate between the high and the low velocity? Or is there some other behavior?
 
Oh yah, there is a problem. Knowing the maximum and minimum can't show you what the average velocity if you're dealing with the same object. The initial and final positions allow you to tell what the average velocity was given how much time has passed.
 

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