Instantaneous and average velocity help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining instantaneous and average velocity for an object moving according to a given position function s(t) = t³ - 2t² - 5t + 6. Participants are exploring the definitions and calculations involved in finding these velocities at specific time intervals.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate instantaneous velocity using the definition of a derivative and average velocity using the formula for average velocity. Some participants question the correctness of the calculations and the application of definitions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the calculations for average velocity, with some suggesting corrections to the original poster's approach. There is a mix of agreement and uncertainty regarding the values obtained, indicating a collaborative effort to clarify the problem.

Contextual Notes

There appears to be confusion regarding the application of the average velocity formula, particularly in distinguishing between using the position function and its derivative. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their calculations and seeks further assistance.

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vAn objects moves horizontally according to the following equation s(t)=t3-2t2-5t+6. Determine the instantaneous velocity of the object at t0=1 second using the definition of a derivative at a point.

v'(t)= lim (s(t0+h)-s(t0))/h
h-->0


And
What is the average velocity of the object from t=0 to t=2?
Average velocity= (s(t2)-s(t1))/(t2-t1)



For the first one, i got:
((1+h)3-2(1+h)2-5(1+h)+6-13-2(1)2-5(1)+6)/h

I expanded and factored all of that ang got (h(-1+h+h2)/h then i plugged in 0 for h and got -1 as the instantaneous velocity... is that correct?

I got the first one... i just added the values wrong... i got -6. But i still don't know how to do the second one.

and for the second one, i have (3(2)2-4(2)-5)/2-0 but that makes it 0/2 and i know that this can't be.

Can you please help me?thank you!
 
Last edited:
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For the second part, it looks like you used the derivative of s (i.e. the velocity) in the numerator. You should use s itself (i.e. plug t1 and t2 into s(t) for the numerator) as in the definition of average velocity.
 
Pacopag said:
For the second part, it looks like you used the derivative of s (i.e. the velocity) in the numerator. You should use s itself (i.e. plug t1 and t2 into s(t) for the numerator) as in the definition of average velocity.

so it should just be (-4-0)/(2-0)=-1/2?
 
I think so. No. Wait a minute. Check it again. I think your t1 part is wrong. Just check it over carefully.
 
wait wouldn't it be -5 for the average velocity instead?
 
Yeah. That's what I get.
 
thank you!
 

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