Finding the total distance traveled by the body at interval

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1. Feb 14, 2016

GustX

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
At time t, the position of a body moving along the s-axis is
$s= t^3 -12t^2 + 36t m(meters)$
Find the total distance traveled by the body from t = 0 to t = 3.

2. Relevant equations
Derivatives

3. The attempt at a solution
I got the derivative which is
3t^2 - 24t + 36(meters)
I set it equal to zero and got

t = sqrt[-4]

which wouldn't work out

I've also tried inputting the derivative into the quadratic formula and got
$t = 4$
$t = 2$
idk if that was neccesary

i tried inputting all the t values from interval 0-3 and got the following results
$0 -> 0$
$1 -> 25$
$2 -> 32$
$3 -> 27$

Trying to mimic the book I took the differences between each interval result
$(0 and 25) -> 25$
$(25 and 32) -> 7$
$(32 and 27) -> 5$
$25 + 7 + 5 = 37$
but that isn't the answer on the sheet either which is 59m

Last edited: Feb 14, 2016
2. Feb 14, 2016

LCKurtz

You need to show more work. It matters where the derivative (velocity) is positive or negative. If the object switches direction and doubles back on itself, the difference in position is not the total distance travelled. Start by showing us where on the interval the derivative is positive or negative. Look at the signs of the factors of the derivative to figure that out.

[Edit, added] Looking again, I think your text is incorrect and your answer of 37 is correct. But your method isn't correct because there is no reason to just restrict yourself to integers when evaluating the position.

Last edited: Feb 14, 2016
3. Feb 14, 2016

GustX

when factored its

3(t-2)(t-4)

you mean the signs atm or after i find the zeros?

Since the quadratic gave me
t =2
t = 4
it should change in these two points but only 1 (t =2) is in the interval so only 1 change matters
but when i input t values t >= 2 the sign doesnt change from the previous s(t) values which were t < 2
I don't think my answer is correct since it isn't the same as the sheet which says 59m,I put in non integers now

0.5 -> 15.125
1.5 -> 30.375
2.5 -> 30.625

4. Feb 14, 2016

LCKurtz

That is why you need to show your work. When what is factored? I don't get those factors anywhere.

What does atm mean?

What should change?

s(t) is positive on the whole interval [0,3]. Why do you expect its sign to change? You seem very confused about this.

It does no good to type in random numbers. You need to think about the velocity and when it is positive and negative. That will give you the important values of $t$ where the object changes direction. Look again at my suggestion in post #2 in the paragraph before the edit. Also note my edit in post #2 where I indicate the answer of 59 that is given is incorrect.

5. Feb 14, 2016

GustX

Ok, I wrote a number wrong when i factored just then but original problem so it is
$3(t-2)(t-6)$

if whether I should look at the signs of the factors of the derivative to find out where on the interval its positive or negative

positive and negative?

Weird that it would be incorrect but maybe the prof made a mistake.

6. Feb 15, 2016

LCKurtz

You keep saying "it is" but your expression needs an equal sign and something on the left side to tell what "it" is.

Also weird that you don't seem to be interested in actually analyzing the problem. If "it" is the derivative of $s(t)$ and you figure out where it is positive or negative, what are you going to do with that knowledge to actually solve the problem correctly?