# How to calculate the average velocity?

## Homework Statement

The position of an object moving along the x-axis is given by x=a+bt^2, where a=8.5m,b=2.5 ms^-2, and t is measured in seconds. what is the average velocity between t=2.0 s and t= 4.0 s

## Homework Equations

as we know, Vavg = xf-xi / tf-ti (f= final position and time and i= initial position and time)

## The Attempt at a Solution

Where to put the values because we have the values of t but there are no values of x

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gneill
Mentor
Where to put the values because we have the values of t but there are no values of x
Your problem statement has an equation for x(t) does it not?

Your problem statement has an equation for x(t) doe it not?
No, the only equation is 'x=a+bt^2'

Merlin3189
Homework Helper
Gold Member
average velocity between t=2.0 s and t= 4.0 s
So find x when t=2 and find x when t=4, then you'll have all the data you need.

Ray Vickson
Homework Helper
Dearly Missed
No, the only equation is 'x=a+bt^2'
Yes it does: that IS the expression $x(t)$---after all, it is telling you the value of $x$ when the time is $t$!

So find x when t=2 and find x when t=4, then you'll have all the data you need.
I am doing this below
x=a +bt^2 =8.5 +2.5 x 4 =18.5 (when t=4)
x=at + bt^2 =8.5 + 2.5 x 2 =13.5 (when t=2)
see the values below
(a=8.5m, b=2.5 ms^-2, t=2.0 s and t= 4.0 s)
Now what to do?

Merlin3189
Homework Helper
Gold Member
1- what is average velocity?

2- what do your two x values tell you?

1- what is average velocity?

2- what do your two x values tell you?
1. Average velocity = TotalDisplacement / TotalTime
2. The initial position and the final position
If I do the math
Vavg=18.5-13.5 /4-2 = 5/2 (but the answer does not match the answer in my book. in my book, my answer is 15m/s)
Now, what to do?

Merlin3189
Homework Helper
Gold Member
x=a +bt^2 =8.5 +2.5 x 4 =18.5 (when t=4)
x=at + bt^2 =8.5 + 2.5 x 2 =13.5 (when t=2)
see the values below
(a=8.5m, b=2.5 ms^-2, t=2.0 s and t= 4.0 s)
Sorry, I didn't check this before. You forgot to square the time.

Also there is some confusion between, x=a +bt^2 and x=at + bt^2

In the question statement, you gave the first version.

But your last post is correct in your statement of average velocity and working from your previous results. You just need to check those first calculations.

Sorry, I didn't check this before. You forgot to square the time.

Also there is some confusion between, x=a +bt^2 and x=at + bt^2

In the question statement, you gave the first version.

But your last post is correct in your statement of average velocity and working from your previous results. You just need to check those first calculations.
It would be x=a+bt^2

Merlin3189
Homework Helper
Gold Member
Ok. That's what it said in the Q and it is consistent with the units given for a and b.

So now you can get the right values if you stick to this equation and take care with squaring t.

Ok. That's what it said in the Q and it is consistent with the units given for a and b.

So now you can get the right values if you stick to this equation and take care with squaring t.
I did but still, the answer does not match the answer in my book.
As you said I have done below
X=18.5 when t=2 and X=40 when t==4 now according to the average velocity
Vavg=xf-xi / tf-ti = 21.5 /2 ms^-1

gneill
Mentor
I did but still, the answer does not match the answer in my book.
As you said I have done below
X=18.5 when t=2 and X=40 when t==4 now according to the average velocity
Vavg=xf-xi / tf-ti = 21.5 /2 ms^-1
Double check your position calculation for t = 4 s.

Double check your position calculation for t = 4 s.
Thank you for finding my mistake. I checked it and it's done. Now the answer is 15m/s. Thank you all for your kind efforts.