Table of contents
- 0. Functions7h 52m
- Introduction to Functions16m
- Piecewise Functions10m
- Properties of Functions9m
- Common Functions1h 8m
- Transformations5m
- Combining Functions27m
- Exponent rules32m
- Exponential Functions28m
- Logarithmic Functions24m
- Properties of Logarithms34m
- Exponential & Logarithmic Equations35m
- Introduction to Trigonometric Functions38m
- Graphs of Trigonometric Functions44m
- Trigonometric Identities47m
- Inverse Trigonometric Functions48m
- 1. Limits and Continuity2h 2m
- 2. Intro to Derivatives1h 33m
- 3. Techniques of Differentiation3h 18m
- 4. Applications of Derivatives2h 38m
- 5. Graphical Applications of Derivatives6h 2m
- 6. Derivatives of Inverse, Exponential, & Logarithmic Functions2h 37m
- 7. Antiderivatives & Indefinite Integrals1h 26m
4. Applications of Derivatives
Motion Analysis
Problem 17d
Textbook Question
Suppose the position of an object moving horizontally along a line after t seconds is given by the following functions s = f(t), where s is measured in feet, with s > 0 corresponding to positions right of the origin.
Determine the acceleration of the object when its velocity is zero.
f(t) = 2t2 - 9t + 12; 0 ≤ t ≤ 3
![](/channels/images/assetPage/verifiedSolution.png)
1
Step 1: Find the velocity function by differentiating the position function s = f(t) with respect to time t. The velocity function v(t) is the first derivative of f(t), so v(t) = f'(t).
Step 2: Differentiate f(t) = 2t^2 - 9t + 12 to find v(t). Use the power rule for differentiation: if f(t) = at^n, then f'(t) = nat^(n-1).
Step 3: Set the velocity function v(t) equal to zero to find the time(s) when the velocity is zero. Solve the equation v(t) = 0 for t.
Step 4: Find the acceleration function by differentiating the velocity function v(t) with respect to time t. The acceleration function a(t) is the second derivative of f(t), so a(t) = v'(t) = f''(t).
Step 5: Evaluate the acceleration function a(t) at the time(s) found in Step 3 to determine the acceleration of the object when its velocity is zero.
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