Ordering Force Functions: Reasoning & Explanation

[Calc 2]

Homework Statement

The graphs show the force Fi (in pounds) required to move an object 9 feet along the x-axis. Order the force functions from the one that yields the least work to the one that yields the most work without doing any calculations. Explain your reasoning.

Homework Equations

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9098/picrn.png

The Attempt at a Solution

This is in my Calc 2 book and I don't know much or anything about physics, but I'm assuming you can use something similar to the concept of vectors to find this out? I have no real idea how to come to a solution to this problem.

 

[rock.freak667]

The area under a graph gives the product of the axes. So Force vs. distance will give Area = Force*distance, which is work! So you just need to compare the areas.

 

[Calc 2]

The area under a graph gives the product of the axes. So Force vs. distance will give Area = Force*distance, which is work! So you just need to compare the areas.

So without doing any calculations, that would mean the biggest area is the one that requires the most work and the smallest, the least? And the order of the functions would go:

B, A, D, C?

 

[rock.freak667]

So without doing any calculations, that would mean the biggest area is the one that requires the most work and the smallest, the least? And the order of the functions would go:

B, A, D, C?

Order the force functions from the one that yields the least work to the one that yields the most work

You have it ordered from biggest to least instead of the other way around.