How Do You Calculate the Average Velocity and Magnitude in a Squirrel's Path?

[cwheats]

Homework Statement

The figure below gives the path of a squirrel moving about on level ground, from point A (at time t = 0), to points B (at t = 6.00 min), C (at t = 12.0 min), and finally D (at t = 18.0 min). Both axes are marked in increments of 1.50 m (therefore the diagram is not drawn to scale). Consider the average velocities of the squirrel from point A to each of the other three points.

(a) Of the three average velocities, which has the least magnitude?
What is this average velocity in magnitude-angle notation?
(b) Which has the greatest magnitude?
What is this average velocity in magnitude-angle notation?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Dont even know how to go about starting this problem someone please help me out.

 

[PaulDirac]

OK. but what do you mean by magnitude-angle notation?

 

[cwheats]

Not sure, that's what is asked for ...
the answer boxes look like this
[blank] m/s, [blank] ° (counterclockwise from the positive x axis)

 

[Fredrik]

The first thing you need to do is post the definitions of "magnitude" and "average velocity". The second thing is to try to use those definitions to answer the questions.

 

[Student100]

Homework Statement

The figure below gives the path of a squirrel moving about on level ground, from point A (at time t = 0), to points B (at t = 6.00 min), C (at t = 12.0 min), and finally D (at t = 18.0 min). Both axes are marked in increments of 1.50 m (therefore the diagram is not drawn to scale). Consider the average velocities of the squirrel from point A to each of the other three points.

(a) Of the three average velocities, which has the least magnitude?
What is this average velocity in magnitude-angle notation?
(b) Which has the greatest magnitude?
What is this average velocity in magnitude-angle notation?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

Dont even know how to go about starting this problem someone please help me out.

Why don't you split each movement into a parametric equation, x(t) and y(t). From this you can find each component of average velocity during the time interval; after that simply find the magnitude of the resultant vector.

 

[Chestermiller]

The first thing you need to do is post the definitions of "magnitude" and "average velocity". The second thing is to try to use those definitions to answer the questions.

I think it would also help if he posted his understanding of the terms "displacement" and "velocity."