Is the Velocity of a Point Constant or Variable?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the conditions under which the velocity of a point remains constant or variable. It establishes that the equation x^{b} = [x_{0} + v_{1} * t, y_{0} + v_{2} * t, z_{0} + v_{3} * t, t_{0} + t] is valid when the velocity vector V_{a} is constant, exemplified by V_{a} = (2, 3, 4, 1). Conversely, the equation fails when V_{a} is a function of time, such as V_{a} = (3t, t^2, 3t - 12, t^2/6), indicating that the velocity is variable.

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Homework Statement



A point: [tex][x_{0}, y_{0}, z_{0}, t_{0}][/tex]
It's velocity: [tex]V_{a} = [v_{1}, v_{2}, v_{3}, v_{4}][/tex]

What is wrong with this equation:

[tex]x^{b} = [x_{0} + v_{1} * t, y_{0} + v_{2} * t, z_{0} + v_{3} * t, t_{0} + t][/tex]
 
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Nothing is wrong with that, as long as V is a constant vector.
For example, if Va = (2, 3, 4, 1) then your formula for x satisfies v = dx/dt.
However, if Va = (3t, t2, 3t - 12, t2/6) it doesn't.
 

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