Stumped on a Simple Math Calculation: Why is the Answer Double?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem in kinematics involving the landing speed of a jet airplane. The original poster is confused about their calculation of the landing speed, which they believe to be 333 km/hr, while the expected answer is 666 km/hr. The problem involves uniform acceleration and the relationship between distance, time, and velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to use average speed and time to find the landing speed but is unsure why their result differs from the expected answer. Other participants suggest deriving the appropriate equations that relate initial velocity, final velocity, time, and displacement. There is discussion about the use of average velocity and the implications of uniform acceleration.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, offering guidance on deriving equations and clarifying concepts related to average velocity and uniform acceleration. There are multiple approaches being discussed, and while the original poster expresses frustration, the conversation is exploring various interpretations of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of information regarding acceleration, which the original poster feels is necessary for their calculations. The discussion also hints at different educational levels, suggesting that the complexity of the problem may vary based on the course context.

pkossak
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I feel like I'm losing my mind asking such an easy question, but for some reason I can't think of why the answer is double of what I'm calculating every time for this question.

After landing, a jet airplane comes to rest uniformly
(the acceleration is constant) in 11.5 seconds. The aircraft
rolls 1063.75 m. What was the landing speed? (in km/hr)

I keep getting 333 km/hr, but the answer is listed as 666 km/hr.
thanks
 
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s = average speed x time
= (vinitial + vfinal)/2 x time
 
What equation are you using? You should be able to derive the equation that relates initial velocity, final velocity, time elapsed, and displacement. From this equation, you should be able to find the initial velocity.
 
i was using x = xo + Vav*t
 
And I don't know of an equation I can use for all that without having to use acceleration.

for the Vav = .5(v +vo), I don't see how I could I plug in 333 and come out with 666, as 333 would be v, and 0 would be vo.

I can't use x = xo + vo*t + .5*a*t^2 because I don't know acceleration

why am i having all this trouble
 
Consider that the acceleration, or deceleration as the case may be, is uniform. This gives the total distance traveled as a function of acceleration and time. Hint: \ddot{x} = -a.

Then how about v_f^2 = v_i^2 + 2 a x make sure you get the magnitude of a correct.
 
If this is a college level course, you should be able to derive the right equation.

\Delta d = \int _{0} ^{T} v(t)\, dt

\Delta d = \int _{0} ^{T} v_i + at\, dt

\Delta d = v_iT + 0.5aT^2

\Delta d = v_iT + 0.5(v_f - v_i)T

\frac{\Delta d}{T} = \frac{v_f + v_i}{2}

This says that the average velocity starting from time 0 to any time T is just the average of the final and initial velocities (given constant acceleration). If this is a high school course, then you should be given this (and the other 4) kinematics equations.
 

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