Finding the velocity of a rock thrown vertically on Mars

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The correct velocity of a rock thrown vertically on Mars is 6.28 m/s, but the user initially calculated -314 m/s due to an error in their derivative calculation. They used the limit definition of the derivative but incorrectly factored the polynomial. A response pointed out that the equations were not equal and suggested that the user needed to adjust their factorization. Ultimately, the correct approach involves directly differentiating the polynomial rather than relying on the limit definition. Understanding basic calculus and derivative formulas is essential for solving such problems accurately.
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Homework Statement
Please see below
Relevant Equations
Please see below
For this problem,
1682397665175.png

The answer is ##6.28 m/s##, however, I got ##-314 m/s## and I am not sure what I have done wrong.

My working is,
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{H(t) - H(1)}{t - 1}##
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{-1.86t^2 + 10t -8.14}{t - 1}##
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{(93t - 407)(t - 1)}{t - 1}##
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} 93t - 407 = -314##

Could someone please point out what I have done wrong?

Many thanks!
 
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ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: Please see below
Relevant Equations: Please see below

For this problem,
View attachment 325465
The answer is ##6.28 m/s##, however, I got ##-314 m/s## and I am not sure what I have done wrong.

My working is,
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{-1.86t^2 + 10t -8.14}{t - 1}##
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{(93t - 407)(t - 1)}{t - 1}##
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} 93t - 407 = -314##

Could someone please point out what I have done wrong?

Many thanks!
Are line 1 and line 2 equal?

-Dan
 
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topsquark said:
Are line 1 and line 2 equal?

-Dan
Thank you for your reply @topsquark !

I believe the factorization is correct (I used my graphics calculator to find the roots). The derivative formula I am using is ##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{H(t) - H(1)}{t - 1}##

Many thanks!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
ChiralSuperfields said:
Thank you for your reply @topsquark !

I believe the factorization is correct (I used my graphics calculator to find the roots). The derivative formula I am using is ##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{H(t) - H(1)}{t - 1}##

Many thanks!
So, you are saying that
##-1.86 t^2 + 10 t - 8.41 = (93 t - 407)(t - 1)##

FOIL out that RHS, please.

-Dan
 
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topsquark said:
So, you are saying that
##-1.86 t^2 + 10 t - 8.41 = (93 t - 407)(t - 1)##

FOIL out that RHS, please.

-Dan
Thank you for your reply @topsquark!

True, they are not equal. I need to multiply the right hand ride by a factor of -1.86/93 to make the equations equal. This gives the correct solution.

Many thanks!
 
ChiralSuperfields said:
Homework Statement: Please see below
Relevant Equations: Please see below

For this problem,
View attachment 325465
The answer is ##6.28 m/s##, however, I got ##-314 m/s## and I am not sure what I have done wrong.

My working is,
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{H(t) - H(1)}{t - 1}##
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{-1.86t^2 + 10t -8.14}{t - 1}##
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} \frac{(93t - 407)(t - 1)}{t - 1}##
##H'(t) = \lim_{t \rightarrow 1} 93t - 407 = -314##

Could someone please point out what I have done wrong?

Many thanks!

No need to calculate H(1), or resort to a calculator (or the quadratic formula) to factorise the result:<br /> \begin{split}<br /> \lim_{t \to 1} \frac{H(t)- H(1)}{t - 1} &amp;= \lim_{t \to 1} \frac{10t - 1.96t^2 - (10 \times 1 - 1.86 \times 1^2)}{t - 1} \\<br /> &amp;= \lim_{t \to 1} \frac{10(t-1) - 1.86(t^2 - 1^2)}{t-1} \\<br /> &amp;= \lim_{t \to 1} \frac{10(t-1) -1.86(t + 1)(t - 1)}{t-1} \\<br /> &amp;= \lim_{t \to 1} \left(10 - 1.86(t + 1)\right) \\<br /> &amp;= 10 - 2 \times 1.86.\end{split} But you can just differentiate H directly. \begin{split}<br /> H&#039;(t) &amp;= 10 - 2 \times 1.86 t \\<br /> H&#039;(1) &amp;= 10 - 2 \times 1.86.<br /> \end{split}
 
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I am surprised that you have to go to the basic definition of the derivative. The formula for the derivative of a polynomial would be covered very early in any calculus class. You should check whether you are expected to know that formula at this point. If so, you should review basic calculus and make the theorems and formulas in it second nature to you.
 
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