How can I Integrate Acceleration to Reconstruct Velocity?

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The discussion centers on the integration of acceleration to reconstruct velocity, specifically addressing the notation and mathematical correctness of various expressions. Participants clarify that the integral of acceleration does not directly yield velocity without considering the constants of integration. The fundamental theorem of calculus is emphasized, stating that integrating a derivative returns the original function, while integrating acceleration requires careful handling of variables and substitutions. The conversation explores the use of integration by parts and variable substitution to derive velocity from acceleration, ultimately concluding that integrating acceleration leads to a function resembling velocity if initial conditions are known. The importance of understanding these concepts for accurate mathematical representation is highlighted.
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is this correct?

∫(dx²/dy²) dx = dx/dy
 
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What do you mean by (dx^2/dy^2) ?
Is it the second derivative of x with respect to y? Is it the first derivative of x with respect to y, squared? Is x a function of y (this is a bit unconventional notation, then)
 
CompuChip said:
What do you mean by (dx^2/dy^2) ?
Is it the second derivative of x with respect to y? Is it the first derivative of x with respect to y, squared? Is x a function of y (this is a bit unconventional notation, then)

i am sorry i placed the square on x but it is.. ∫ (d²x/dy²) dx ...
 
spidey said:
is this correct?

∫(dx²/dy²) dx = dx/dy

Suppose \frac{dx}{dy} = x + 1.

Then \frac{d^2x}{dy^2} = 1

However, it is *not* true that \int 1 dx = x + 1. As your calc teacher will say it, \int 1 dx = x + C for some abuse of notation/constant C.

The problem with your statement is that the integral isn't the inverse of the derivative. Integrating a derivative of a function doesn't give you back the original function.

However, the reverse *is* true. Taking the derivative of an integral of a function DOES give you back the original function. This is the fundamental theorem of calculus: \frac{d}{dx}(\int f(x) dx) = f(x)

(Note that I sort of disregarded your use of the second derivative, since it is just an added layer of confusion to this particular problem).
 
Tac-Tics said:
Suppose \frac{dx}{dy} = x + 1.

Then \frac{d^2x}{dy^2} = 1

However, it is *not* true that \int 1 dx = x + 1. As your calc teacher will say it, \int 1 dx = x + C for some abuse of notation/constant C.

The problem with your statement is that the integral isn't the inverse of the derivative. Integrating a derivative of a function doesn't give you back the original function.

However, the reverse *is* true. Taking the derivative of an integral of a function DOES give you back the original function. This is the fundamental theorem of calculus: \frac{d}{dx}(\int f(x) dx) = f(x)

(Note that I sort of disregarded your use of the second derivative, since it is just an added layer of confusion to this particular problem).

so u r saying this is not correct..∫ (d²x/dy²) dx not= dx/dy..

my basic question is i want to integrate acceleration.so
∫ a dx = ∫ (dv/dt) dx since [ a=dv/dt]
so to solve the above integration i thought
∫ a dx = ∫ (dv/dt) dx = ∫ (d²x/dt²) dx since [a=d²x/dt² or v=dx/dt]
= dx/dt ( i guess this is answer)
if its not,so what is the answer for this?
 
Actually,
∫ a dt = dx/dt =: v
by precisely that the theorem mentioned by Tac-Tics: a = d/dt( dx/dt ) so integrating it gives the velocity dx/dt.
You might be able to rework the integral over x to an integral over t, by a variable substitution:
∫ a(x(t)) dx = ∫ a(t) v(t) dt = ∫ v'(t) v(t) dt
(try to work that out for yourself).

I am thinking that partial integration may help you forward in this problem, but I'm not quite sure... play around a bit
 
CompuChip said:
Actually,
∫ a dt = dx/dt =: v
by precisely that the theorem mentioned by Tac-Tics: a = d/dt( dx/dt ) so integrating it gives the velocity dx/dt.
You might be able to rework the integral over x to an integral over t, by a variable substitution:
∫ a(x(t)) dx = ∫ a(t) v(t) dt = ∫ v'(t) v(t) dt
(try to work that out for yourself).

I am thinking that partial integration may help you forward in this problem, but I'm not quite sure... play around a bit

I understand the first part ∫ a dt = dx/dt =: v
but i am confused with rest...
i want answer for ∫ a dx = ∫ (dv/dt) dx= ?
don't know how to continue..
 
CompuChip said:
Actually,
∫ a dt = dx/dt =: v
by precisely that the theorem mentioned by Tac-Tics: a = d/dt( dx/dt ) so integrating it gives the velocity dx/dt.
You might be able to rework the integral over x to an integral over t, by a variable substitution:
∫ a(x(t)) dx = ∫ a(t) v(t) dt = ∫ v'(t) v(t) dt
(try to work that out for yourself).

I am thinking that partial integration may help you forward in this problem, but I'm not quite sure... play around a bit

I tried using integration by parts..i don't know is this correct..
∫ a dx = ∫ a v dt

u = v du = dv
dv= a dt v=v

∫ u dv = uv - ∫ vdu

= v.v - ∫ v dv
= v² - v²/2 or = v² - x = (dx/dt)² - x
= v²/2
= (dx/dt)²/2

is this correct...please someone help me...
 
Maybe my explanation was a little much for what you're trying to do (though it is important to understand it eventually too).

If you integrate acceleration, the function you get is something that looks a LOT like the function for velocity. In fact, if you know the velocity at any point in time, you can reconstruct the function for velocity entirely.
 
  • #10
Tac-Tics said:
Maybe my explanation was a little much for what you're trying to do (though it is important to understand it eventually too).

If you integrate acceleration, the function you get is something that looks a LOT like the function for velocity. In fact, if you know the velocity at any point in time, you can reconstruct the function for velocity entirely.

Now i am getting this value...

∫ a dx = ∫ a v dt

u = a du = da
dv= v dt v= a

∫ u dv = uv - ∫ vdu

= a.a - ∫ a da
= a² - a²/2
= a²/2
= (d²x/dt²)²/2

is this correct...
 

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