Finding position from velocity (trig function)

Homework Statement

S(0)=3, find S(2) position wise.

V(t)=xsin(x^2)

The Attempt at a Solution

I tried to integrate with u-substitution and I got -t^4/4cos(t^2). I tested it by taking the derivative and it didn't work out.

Last edited:

Related Introductory Physics Homework Help News on Phys.org
SammyS
Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
Gold Member
$$v(t)=\frac{dx}{dt}\quad\to\quad\frac{dx}{x\sin(x^2)}=dt$$

Is the equation on the right what you integrated?

@SammyS,
Thanks for the reply, but I have never seen the method you used before. I understand that you manipulated the first equation to get the second, but I do not know why. If you could explain it a bit or give me a link to a website that explains it I would appreciate it.

gneill
Mentor
Are you sure that your velocity function is v(t) = x*sin(x^2), where x is a distance? Is it possible that it's v(t) = t*sin(t^2) instead?

SammyS
Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
Gold Member
If  $$\frac{dx}{dt}=x\sin(x^2)\,,$$

then  $$\frac{1}{x\sin(x^2)}\ \frac{dx}{dt}\,dt=dt\,.$$

But,  $$\frac{dx}{dt}\,dt=dx\,.$$

Therefore,  $$\frac{dx}{x\sin(x^2 )}=dt$$

Now integrate both sides to find t as a function of x.

gneill
Mentor
Now integrate both sides to find t as a function of x.
I think that the LHS is going to prove to be rather difficult to integrate in closed form.

SammyS
Staff Emeritus
Your earlier suggestion: $$v(t)=t\sin(t^2)$$ is probably correct.