Simple dynamics problem, I can't seem to get the answer to

[rock.freak667]

Homework Statement

A car travels around a circular track having a radius of 300m such that when it is at point A, it has a velocity f 5m/s, which is increasing at the rate of \dot{v}=0.06t m/s^2. Determine the magnitudes of the velocity and acceleration when it has traveled one-third the way around the track

Homework Equations

n,t-coordinate system

a=\sqrt{a_t^2+a_n^2}

a_n= \frac{v^2}{r}

The Attempt at a Solution

Since the radius r=300m, the total distance the car will travel is 2 \pi r= 600\pi m

So I want to find v and a when the distance = 200pi

Now at A, \dot{v}=a_t=0.06t
Initially at A,t=0 and v=5

so

\int^{v} _{5} = \int^{t} _{0} 0.06t dt
v=5+0.03t^2

Thus
\int ^{s} _{0}= \int ^{t} _{0} (5+0.03t^2) dt

s=5t+0.01t^3

When s=200\pi

200\pi=5t+0.01t^3

Which I do not know how to solve since there is no rational root.

Was I going on the correct track?

 

[Doc Al]

200\pi=5t+0.01t^3

Which I do not know how to solve since there is no rational root.

There is a real solution. (Yes, you're on the right track.)

 

[rock.freak667]

There is a real solution. (Yes, you're on the right track.)

Well I had to use an online calculator to get t=35.579993691668676.

But my normal calculator doesn't have a function for cubic equations. How would I normally solve it without a computer? I know the rational root theorem but if I were to use the Newton-raphson method, I'd spend a lot of time finding a starting point and doing the iteration.

 

[Doc Al]

Solving a general cubic equation by hand is a bear. There's an analytic solution, but I wouldn't dare attempt it from memory. (I too have been spoiled by fancy calculators.) Here's one version: http://mathworld.wolfram.com/CubicFormula.html"