Help Solve Part (b) of M1 Question | Cathy

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a scenario where a boy walks at a constant speed while his sister accelerates from rest to catch up with him. The specific question is to calculate the time taken by the sister to reach her brother after she begins her pursuit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationship between the areas under the speed-time graphs of both the boy and the sister, suggesting that the areas represent the distances traveled. There is also a question about the interpretation of the phrase "girl to reach her brother," leading to a focus on equal distances traveled.

Discussion Status

Some guidance has been offered regarding the use of speed-time graph areas to find the time taken for the sister to catch up. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored, particularly concerning the integration of the graph lines to derive functions.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes hints about the need for mathematical integration and the relationship between distance and the areas under the speed-time graphs, but there is no consensus on a specific method or solution yet.

CathyLou
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Hi.

Could someone please help me to do part (b) of the following question? I would really appreciate any help as I am really stuck.

A boy is walking at a constant speed of 1.8 m/s along a straight road. He passes a telephone booth where his sister is making a telephone call. His sister takes 30 s to complete the call and then sets off in pursuit of the boy. She accelerates uniformly from rest at 3 m/s^2 until she is running at a speed of 9 m/s. She maintains this constant speed until she reaches her brother.

(a) On the same diagram sketch the speed-time graphs for the boy and his sister.


I did this part.

(b) Calculate the time taken by the girl to reach her brother.

Thank you.

Cathy
 
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What have you tried so far?

I'll give you a hint: what does the area of the speed-time graph represent?
 
malawi_glenn said:
What have you tried so far?

I'll give you a hint: what does the area of the speed-time graph represent?

Thanks for replying.

It represents the distance travelled.

Cathy
 
So what is meant by "girl to reach her brother" ?
Well it means that they have traveled same distance, i.e find the value of time t, when the area of girl = area of boy. Do you know how to go from lines on a graph to functions and do integration?

I have no time to draw pictures and so on, I am quite sure that you know how this works.

If not, just use the fact that the boy will have area: 1.8*t and the find the time for the girl to reach 9 m/s with the acceleration given and then just continue.
 
malawi_glenn said:
So what is meant by "girl to reach her brother" ?
Well it means that they have traveled same distance, i.e find the value of time t, when the area of girl = area of boy. Do you know how to go from lines on a graph to functions and do integration?

I have no time to draw pictures and so on, I am quite sure that you know how this works.

If not, just use the fact that the boy will have area: 1.8*t and the find the time for the girl to reach 9 m/s with the acceleration given and then just continue.

Thanks so much for your help!

Cathy
 

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