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
- 8. Definite Integrals4h 44m
- 9. Graphical Applications of Integrals2h 27m
- 10. Physics Applications of Integrals 2h 22m
4. Applications of Derivatives
Motion Analysis
Problem 49b
Textbook Question
The position (in meters) of a marble, given an initial velocity and rolling up a long incline, is given by s = 100t / t+1, where t is measured in seconds and s=0 is the starting point.
b. Find the velocity function for the marble.

1
To find the velocity function, we need to determine the derivative of the position function s(t) with respect to time t. The position function is given as s(t) = \( \frac{100t}{t+1} \).
The function \( s(t) = \frac{100t}{t+1} \) is a rational function, which can be differentiated using the quotient rule. The quotient rule states that if you have a function \( \frac{u(t)}{v(t)} \), its derivative is \( \frac{u'(t)v(t) - u(t)v'(t)}{(v(t))^2} \).
Identify the numerator and denominator of the function: \( u(t) = 100t \) and \( v(t) = t+1 \). Compute their derivatives: \( u'(t) = 100 \) and \( v'(t) = 1 \).
Apply the quotient rule: \( v(t)u'(t) - u(t)v'(t) = (t+1)(100) - (100t)(1) \). Simplify this expression to find the numerator of the derivative.
Divide the simplified numerator by the square of the denominator \( (t+1)^2 \) to obtain the velocity function v(t).

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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Position Function
The position function describes the location of an object over time. In this case, the function s(t) = 100t / (t + 1) represents the position of the marble as a function of time t. Understanding this function is crucial for determining how the marble moves along the incline.
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Velocity Function
The velocity function is the derivative of the position function with respect to time. It represents the rate of change of position, indicating how fast the marble is moving at any given moment. To find the velocity function, we differentiate the position function s(t) with respect to t.
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Differentiation
Differentiation is a fundamental concept in calculus that involves finding the derivative of a function. The derivative provides information about the function's rate of change and is essential for calculating the velocity from the position function. Mastery of differentiation techniques is necessary to solve problems involving motion.
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