Position, Velocity, Acceleration via Integrals - Calculus 1

  1. A particle has acceleration a(t)a(t), initial velocity v(0)v(0), and initial position s(0)s(0). Which of the following expressions represents the displacement of the particle from t=0t=0 to t=3t=3?
    Answer: ∫03(v(0)+∫0ta(τ)dτ)dt\int_0^3 \left( v(0) + \int_0^t a(\tau) d\tau \right) dt Displacement is the change in position, s(3)−s(0)s(3) - s(0), which is given by the definite integral of the velocity function, ∫03v(t)dt\int_0^3 v(t) dt. The velocity function v(t)v(t) can be expressed in terms of the initial velocity and acceleration: v(t)=v(0)+∫0ta(τ)dτv(t) = v(0) + \int_0^t a(\tau) d\tau. Substituting this expression for v(t)v(t) into the displacement integral gives ∫03(v(0)+∫0ta(τ)dτ)dt\int_0^3 \left( v(0) + \int_0^t a(\tau) d\tau \right) dt.
  2. A particle moves along a line with acceleration a(t)=2eta(t) = 2e^t. Its velocity at t=0t=0 is v(0)=−2v(0) = -2. What is the total distance traveled by the particle from t=0t=0 to t=ln⁡(3)t=\ln(3)?
    Answer: 8ln⁡(2)−4ln⁡(3)8\ln(2) - 4\ln(3) First, find the velocity function: v(t)=∫2etdt=2et+Cv(t) = \int 2e^t dt = 2e^t + C. Using v(0)=−2v(0)=-2, we get 2e0+C=−2  ⟹  2+C=−2  ⟹  C=−42e^0 + C = -2 \implies 2+C=-2 \implies C=-4. So, v(t)=2et−4v(t) = 2e^t - 4. Total distance requires integrating ∣v(t)∣|v(t)|. Find when v(t)=0v(t)=0: 2et−4=0  ⟹  et=2  ⟹  t=ln⁡(2)2e^t - 4 = 0 \implies e^t = 2 \implies t = \ln(2). This is within the interval [0,ln⁡(3)][0, \ln(3)]. For t∈[0,ln⁡(2))t \in [0, \ln(2)), v(t)<0v(t) < 0. For t∈(ln⁡(2),ln⁡(3)]t \in (\ln(2), \ln(3)], v(t)>0v(t) > 0. We split the integral: Total distance = ∫0ln⁡(2)−(2et−4)dt+∫ln⁡(2)ln⁡(3)(2et−4)dt\int_0^{\ln(2)} -(2e^t - 4) dt + \int_{\ln(2)}^{\ln(3)} (2e^t - 4) dt. First integral: [4t−2et]0ln⁡(2)=(4ln⁡(2)−2eln⁡(2))−(0−2e0)=4ln⁡(2)−4−(−2)=4ln⁡(2)−2[4t - 2e^t]_0^{\ln(2)} = (4\ln(2) - 2e^{\ln(2)}) - (0 - 2e^0) = 4\ln(2) - 4 - (-2) = 4\ln(2) - 2. Second integral: [2et−4t]ln⁡(2)ln⁡(3)=(2eln⁡(3)−4ln⁡(3))−(2eln⁡(2)−4ln⁡(2))=(6−4ln⁡(3))−(4−4ln⁡(2))=2−4ln⁡(3)+4ln⁡(2)[2e^t - 4t]_{\ln(2)}^{\ln(3)} = (2e^{\ln(3)} - 4\ln(3)) - (2e^{\ln(2)} - 4\ln(2)) = (6 - 4\ln(3)) - (4 - 4\ln(2)) = 2 - 4\ln(3) + 4\ln(2). Total distance = (4ln⁡(2)−2)+(2−4ln⁡(3)+4ln⁡(2))=8ln⁡(2)−4ln⁡(3)(4\ln(2) - 2) + (2 - 4\ln(3) + 4\ln(2)) = 8\ln(2) - 4\ln(3).
  3. A particle's velocity is given by v(t)=6(t+2)2v(t) = \frac{6}{(t+2)^2} for t≥0t \ge 0. What is the total displacement of the particle from t=0t=0 to t=∞t=\infty?
    Answer: 33 The total displacement is the value of the improper integral of the velocity function from t=0t=0 to t=∞t=\infty. Displacement =∫0∞6(t+2)2dt=lim⁡b→∞∫0b6(t+2)−2dt= \int_{0}^{\infty} \frac{6}{(t+2)^2} dt = \lim_{b \to \infty} \int_{0}^{b} 6(t+2)^{-2} dt. The antiderivative of 6(t+2)−26(t+2)^{-2} is 6(t+2)−1−1=−6(t+2)−1=−6t+2\frac{6(t+2)^{-1}}{-1} = -6(t+2)^{-1} = \frac{-6}{t+2}. Now, we evaluate the definite integral: lim⁡b→∞[−6t+2]0b=lim⁡b→∞(−6b+2−−60+2)\lim_{b \to \infty} [\frac{-6}{t+2}]_{0}^{b} = \lim_{b \to \infty} (\frac{-6}{b+2} - \frac{-6}{0+2}). As b→∞b \to \infty, the term −6b+2\frac{-6}{b+2} approaches 0. The second term is −−62=3-\frac{-6}{2} = 3. So, the total displacement is 0−(−3)=30 - (-3) = 3. A: This is the constant in the denominator of the velocity function, not the displacement. C: This is the numerator of the velocity function, not the displacement. D: This would be the case if the integral diverged, but because the power of (t+2)(t+2) is greater than 1, the integral converges.
  4. A particle's acceleration is given by a(t)=12ta(t) = 12t. At time t=1t=1, its velocity is v(1)=8v(1)=8 and its position is s(1)=−2s(1)=-2. What is the position of the particle at t=2t=2?
    Answer: 14 First, find v(t)v(t) by integrating a(t)a(t): v(t)=∫12tdt=6t2+C1v(t) = \int 12t dt = 6t^2 + C_1. Use v(1)=8v(1)=8 to find C1C_1: 6(1)2+C1=8  ⟹  C1=26(1)^2 + C_1 = 8 \implies C_1 = 2. So, v(t)=6t2+2v(t) = 6t^2 + 2. Next, find s(t)s(t) by integrating v(t)v(t): s(t)=∫(6t2+2)dt=2t3+2t+C2s(t) = \int (6t^2 + 2) dt = 2t^3 + 2t + C_2. Use s(1)=−2s(1)=-2 to find C2C_2: 2(1)3+2(1)+C2=−2  ⟹  4+C2=−2  ⟹  C2=−62(1)^3 + 2(1) + C_2 = -2 \implies 4 + C_2 = -2 \implies C_2 = -6. So, s(t)=2t3+2t−6s(t) = 2t^3 + 2t - 6. Finally, find the position at t=2t=2: s(2)=2(2)3+2(2)−6=16+4−6=14s(2) = 2(2)^3 + 2(2) - 6 = 16 + 4 - 6 = 14.
  5. A particle moves with velocity v(t)=cos⁡(t)v(t) = \cos(t). For which of the following values of c>0c > 0 is the particle's average velocity on the interval [0,c][0, c] equal to 2π\frac{2}{\pi}?
    Answer: π2\frac{\pi}{2} The average velocity on [0,c][0, c] is given by the formula for the average value of a function: 1c−0∫0cv(t)dt\frac{1}{c-0} \int_{0}^{c} v(t) dt. In this case, it is 1c∫0ccos⁡(t)dt=1c[sin⁡(t)]0c=1c(sin⁡(c)−sin⁡(0))=sin⁡(c)c\frac{1}{c} \int_{0}^{c} \cos(t) dt = \frac{1}{c} [\sin(t)]_{0}^{c} = \frac{1}{c}(\sin(c) - \sin(0)) = \frac{\sin(c)}{c}. We need to find which of the given options for cc satisfies sin⁡(c)c=2π\frac{\sin(c)}{c} = \frac{2}{\pi}. We can test the choices: A) For c=π4c=\frac{\pi}{4}: sin⁡(π/4)π/4=2/2π/4=22π≠2π\frac{\sin(\pi/4)}{\pi/4} = \frac{\sqrt{2}/2}{\pi/4} = \frac{2\sqrt{2}}{\pi} \neq \frac{2}{\pi}. B) For c=π3c=\frac{\pi}{3}: sin⁡(π/3)π/3=3/2π/3=332π≠2π\frac{\sin(\pi/3)}{\pi/3} = \frac{\sqrt{3}/2}{\pi/3} = \frac{3\sqrt{3}}{2\pi} \neq \frac{2}{\pi}. C) For c=π2c=\frac{\pi}{2}: sin⁡(π/2)π/2=1π/2=2π\frac{\sin(\pi/2)}{\pi/2} = \frac{1}{\pi/2} = \frac{2}{\pi}. This is correct. D) For c=πc=\pi: sin⁡(π)π=0π=0≠2π\frac{\sin(\pi)}{\pi} = \frac{0}{\pi} = 0 \neq \frac{2}{\pi}.
  6. A particle's position is given by s(t)=∫0t(x2−2x)e−xdxs(t) = \int_{0}^{t} (x^2-2x)e^{-x} dx. For t>0t>0, when is the particle's acceleration zero?
    Answer: t=2−2t = 2 - \sqrt{2} The position is given as an integral, so we can find the velocity and acceleration using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Velocity v(t)=s′(t)=(t2−2t)e−tv(t) = s'(t) = (t^2 - 2t)e^{-t}. Acceleration a(t)=v′(t)a(t) = v'(t). We use the product rule to differentiate v(t)v(t). Let u=t2−2tu = t^2 - 2t and w=e−tw = e^{-t}. Then u′=2t−2u' = 2t - 2 and w′=−e−tw' = -e^{-t}. a(t)=u′w+uw′=(2t−2)e−t+(t2−2t)(−e−t)a(t) = u'w + uw' = (2t - 2)e^{-t} + (t^2 - 2t)(-e^{-t}). a(t)=e−t[(2t−2)−(t2−2t)]=e−t[2t−2−t2+2t]=e−t[−t2+4t−2]a(t) = e^{-t} [ (2t - 2) - (t^2 - 2t) ] = e^{-t} [ 2t - 2 - t^2 + 2t ] = e^{-t} [-t^2 + 4t - 2]. We set a(t)=0a(t)=0. Since e−te^{-t} is never zero, we only need to solve −t2+4t−2=0-t^2 + 4t - 2 = 0, or t2−4t+2=0t^2 - 4t + 2 = 0. Using the quadratic formula: t=−(−4)±(−4)2−4(1)(2)2(1)=4±16−82=4±82=4±222=2±2t = \frac{-(-4) \pm \sqrt{(-4)^2 - 4(1)(2)}}{2(1)} = \frac{4 \pm \sqrt{16 - 8}}{2} = \frac{4 \pm \sqrt{8}}{2} = \frac{4 \pm 2\sqrt{2}}{2} = 2 \pm \sqrt{2}. We have two possible times: t=2−2≈2−1.414=0.586t = 2 - \sqrt{2} \approx 2 - 1.414 = 0.586 and t=2+2≈3.414t = 2 + \sqrt{2} \approx 3.414. Both are greater than 0. The question asks 'when is the acceleration zero?' and provides 2−22-\sqrt{2} as an option. Without further constraints, this is a valid answer. B: This is where the velocity is zero, t(t−2)=0t(t-2)=0. C: This is the other time when acceleration is zero. D: This is where the derivative of the polynomial part of acceleration is zero, i.e., the vertex of the parabola −t2+4t−2-t^2+4t-2.
  7. The acceleration of a particle is a(t)=(t+1)−3a(t) = (t+1)^{-3} for t≥0t \ge 0. The particle starts from rest. What is the particle's velocity at t=1t=1?
    Answer: 38\frac{3}{8} First, find the velocity v(t)v(t) by integrating the acceleration a(t)a(t). 'Starts from rest' means v(0)=0v(0)=0. v(t)=∫(t+1)−3dt=(t+1)−2−2+C=−12(t+1)2+Cv(t) = \int (t+1)^{-3} dt = \frac{(t+1)^{-2}}{-2} + C = -\frac{1}{2(t+1)^2} + C. Now use the initial condition v(0)=0v(0)=0 to find CC. 0=−12(0+1)2+C⇒0=−12+C⇒C=120 = -\frac{1}{2(0+1)^2} + C \Rightarrow 0 = -\frac{1}{2} + C \Rightarrow C = \frac{1}{2}. So the velocity function is v(t)=12−12(t+1)2v(t) = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{2(t+1)^2}. Finally, evaluate the velocity at t=1t=1. v(1)=12−12(1+1)2=12−12(4)=12−18=48−18=38v(1) = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{2(1+1)^2} = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{2(4)} = \frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{8} = \frac{4}{8} - \frac{1}{8} = \frac{3}{8}. B: This is the value of the constant of integration, CC, not the velocity at t=1t=1. C: This would be the result of a sign error when finding CC, leading to C=−1/2C = -1/2. D: This is the value of the integral part of v(1)v(1) if the constant CC is forgotten.
  8. A particle moves with acceleration a(t)=sin⁡(t)−cos⁡(t)a(t) = \sin(t) - \cos(t). If v(0)=0v(0) = 0, what is the particle's maximum velocity on the interval 0≤t≤2π0 \le t \le 2\pi?
    Answer: 1+21+\sqrt{2} First, find the velocity function v(t)v(t) by integrating a(t)a(t). v(t)=∫(sin⁡(t)−cos⁡(t))dt=−cos⁡(t)−sin⁡(t)+Cv(t) = \int (\sin(t) - \cos(t)) dt = -\cos(t) - \sin(t) + C. Using v(0)=0v(0) = 0, we have 0=−cos⁡(0)−sin⁡(0)+C⇒0=−1−0+C⇒C=10 = -\cos(0) - \sin(0) + C \Rightarrow 0 = -1 - 0 + C \Rightarrow C = 1. So, v(t)=1−cos⁡(t)−sin⁡(t)v(t) = 1 - \cos(t) - \sin(t). To find the maximum velocity, we must find the critical points of v(t)v(t) by setting its derivative, v′(t)=a(t)v'(t) = a(t), to zero. a(t)=sin⁡(t)−cos⁡(t)=0⇒sin⁡(t)=cos⁡(t)⇒tan⁡(t)=1a(t) = \sin(t) - \cos(t) = 0 \Rightarrow \sin(t) = \cos(t) \Rightarrow \tan(t) = 1. On the interval [0,2π][0, 2\pi], this occurs at t=π/4t = \pi/4 and t=5π/4t = 5\pi/4. We evaluate v(t)v(t) at the critical points and the endpoints t=0t=0 and t=2πt=2\pi: v(0)=1−cos⁡(0)−sin⁡(0)=1−1−0=0v(0) = 1 - \cos(0) - \sin(0) = 1 - 1 - 0 = 0. v(π/4)=1−cos⁡(π/4)−sin⁡(π/4)=1−22−22=1−2v(\pi/4) = 1 - \cos(\pi/4) - \sin(\pi/4) = 1 - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} = 1 - \sqrt{2}. (This is a local minimum). v(5π/4)=1−cos⁡(5π/4)−sin⁡(5π/4)=1−(−22)−(−22)=1+2v(5\pi/4) = 1 - \cos(5\pi/4) - \sin(5\pi/4) = 1 - (-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}) - (-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}) = 1 + \sqrt{2}. (This is a local maximum). v(2π)=1−cos⁡(2π)−sin⁡(2π)=1−1−0=0v(2\pi) = 1 - \cos(2\pi) - \sin(2\pi) = 1 - 1 - 0 = 0. Comparing the values 00, 1−21 - \sqrt{2}, and 1+21 + \sqrt{2}, the maximum velocity is 1+21 + \sqrt{2}. B: This is the value of the constant of integration, CC. C: This would be the constant of integration if the initial condition were v(0)=1v(0)=1. D: This is the value of the local minimum velocity, not the maximum.
  9. The acceleration of a particle is given by a(t)=6ta(t) = 6t. The velocity of the particle is 12 at t=2t=2. The particle's initial position is s(0)=5s(0) = 5. What is the total distance traveled by the particle from t=0t=0 to t=2t=2?
    Answer: 88 First, find the velocity function v(t)v(t) by integrating a(t)a(t). v(t)=∫6tdt=3t2+Cv(t) = \int 6t dt = 3t^2 + C. Use the condition v(2)=12v(2)=12 to find CC: 12=3(22)+C⇒12=12+C⇒C=012 = 3(2^2) + C \Rightarrow 12 = 12 + C \Rightarrow C = 0. So, v(t)=3t2v(t) = 3t^2. To find the total distance traveled on the interval [0,2][0, 2], we need to integrate the speed, ∣v(t)∣|v(t)|. On the interval [0,2][0, 2], v(t)=3t2v(t) = 3t^2 is always non-negative, so ∣v(t)∣=v(t)|v(t)| = v(t). Therefore, the total distance is equal to the displacement. Total Distance =∫023t2dt=[t3]02=23−03=8= \int_{0}^{2} 3t^2 dt = [t^3]_{0}^{2} = 2^3 - 0^3 = 8. The initial position s(0)=5s(0)=5 is extra information not needed for calculating total distance. B: This is the velocity at t=2t=2, not the total distance. C: This is the final position of the particle, s(2)=s(0)+displacement=5+8=13s(2) = s(0) + \text{displacement} = 5 + 8 = 13. D: This could result from an arithmetic error, for example, adding the initial position, velocity, and displacement in some way.
  10. A particle moves with velocity v(t)=3tv(t) = 3\sqrt{t} for t≥0t \ge 0. Its position at t=1t=1 is s(1)=−1s(1) = -1. What is the particle's position at t=4t=4?
    Answer: 1313 We can find the position s(4)s(4) using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: s(4)=s(1)+∫14v(t)dts(4) = s(1) + \int_{1}^{4} v(t) dt. First, calculate the definite integral: ∫143tdt=∫143t1/2dt=[3⋅t3/23/2]14=[2t3/2]14\int_{1}^{4} 3\sqrt{t} dt = \int_{1}^{4} 3t^{1/2} dt = [3 \cdot \frac{t^{3/2}}{3/2}]_{1}^{4} = [2t^{3/2}]_{1}^{4}. Evaluate at the limits: 2(4)3/2−2(1)3/2=2(8)−2(1)=16−2=142(4)^{3/2} - 2(1)^{3/2} = 2(8) - 2(1) = 16 - 2 = 14. This is the displacement from t=1t=1 to t=4t=4. Now, find the final position: s(4)=s(1)+14=−1+14=13s(4) = s(1) + 14 = -1 + 14 = 13. A: This is the result of calculating the displacement from t=1t=1 to t=4t=4 as 1313 and then subtracting s(1)s(1) instead of adding it. C: This is the displacement from t=1t=1 to t=4t=4, not the final position. D: This is the final position if the displacement were calculated from t=0t=0 to t=4t=4, which is s(4)=s(0)+16s(4) = s(0) + 16. Assuming s(0)=s(1)=−1s(0)=s(1)=-1 yields s(4)=15s(4)=15, a common mistake.
  11. The acceleration of an object is given by a(t)=12ta(t) = 12t. The object is at rest at t=1t=1. What is its displacement from t=0t=0 to t=2t=2?
    Answer: 44 First, find the velocity function v(t)v(t) by integrating a(t)a(t). v(t)=∫12tdt=6t2+Cv(t) = \int 12t dt = 6t^2 + C. The condition 'at rest at t=1' means v(1)=0v(1)=0. So, 0=6(1)2+C⇒C=−60 = 6(1)^2 + C \Rightarrow C = -6. Thus, v(t)=6t2−6v(t) = 6t^2 - 6. Displacement from t=0t=0 to t=2t=2 is the definite integral of velocity: ∫02(6t2−6)dt=[2t3−6t]02\int_{0}^{2} (6t^2 - 6) dt = [2t^3 - 6t]_{0}^{2}. Evaluating at the limits: (2(2)3−6(2))−(2(0)3−6(0))=(16−12)−0=4(2(2)^3 - 6(2)) - (2(0)^3 - 6(0)) = (16 - 12) - 0 = 4. B: This is the total distance traveled, ∫02∣6t2−6∣dt\int_{0}^{2} |6t^2 - 6| dt, a common error when asked for displacement. C: This is the displacement that would be calculated if the constant of integration CC was ignored (i.e., assuming v(0)=0v(0)=0). D: This is the displacement that would be calculated if a sign error was made in finding the constant of integration (i.e., C=6C=6).
  12. A particle moves along a line with acceleration a(t)=−1(t+1)2a(t) = -\frac{1}{(t+1)^2} for t≥0t \ge 0. If the particle has an initial velocity of v(0)=2v(0)=2, what is its velocity as t→∞t \to \infty?
    Answer: 11 To find the velocity function v(t)v(t), we integrate the acceleration function a(t)a(t). v(t)=∫−1(t+1)2dt=∫−(t+1)−2dtv(t) = \int -\frac{1}{(t+1)^2} dt = \int -(t+1)^{-2} dt. The antiderivative is −(t+1)−1−1+C=(t+1)−1+C=1t+1+C- \frac{(t+1)^{-1}}{-1} + C = (t+1)^{-1} + C = \frac{1}{t+1} + C. We are given the initial condition v(0)=2v(0)=2. We use this to solve for CC. 2=10+1+C⇒2=1+C⇒C=12 = \frac{1}{0+1} + C \Rightarrow 2 = 1 + C \Rightarrow C = 1. So, the velocity function is v(t)=1t+1+1v(t) = \frac{1}{t+1} + 1. To find the velocity as t→∞t \to \infty, we take the limit of v(t)v(t). lim⁡t→∞v(t)=lim⁡t→∞(1t+1+1)\lim_{t \to \infty} v(t) = \lim_{t \to \infty} (\frac{1}{t+1} + 1). As t→∞t \to \infty, the term 1t+1\frac{1}{t+1} approaches 0. So, lim⁡t→∞v(t)=0+1=1\lim_{t \to \infty} v(t) = 0 + 1 = 1. The velocity approaches a terminal value of 1. A: This would be the limit if the constant of integration CC were 0. C: This is the initial velocity, not the terminal velocity. D: This is incorrect because the limit exists and is finite.
  13. A particle moves along the x-axis with velocity given by v(t)=3t2−12v(t) = 3t^2 - 12 for t≥0t \ge 0. What is the total distance traveled by the particle during the time interval 0≤t≤30 \le t \le 3?
    Answer: 23 Total distance is the integral of the absolute value of velocity, ∫ab∣v(t)∣dt\int_a^b |v(t)| dt. First, find where the velocity is zero: 3t2−12=0  ⟹  t2=4  ⟹  t=23t^2 - 12 = 0 \implies t^2 = 4 \implies t = 2 (since t≥0t \ge 0). The velocity is negative on [0,2)[0, 2) and positive on (2,3](2, 3]. The integral must be split at t=2t=2. Total distance = ∫03∣3t2−12∣dt=∫02−(3t2−12)dt+∫23(3t2−12)dt\int_0^3 |3t^2 - 12| dt = \int_0^2 -(3t^2 - 12) dt + \int_2^3 (3t^2 - 12) dt. Integrating gives [12t−t3]02+[t3−12t]23[12t - t^3]_0^2 + [t^3 - 12t]_2^3. Evaluating the first part: (24−8)−0=16(24 - 8) - 0 = 16. Evaluating the second part: (27−36)−(8−24)=−9−(−16)=7(27 - 36) - (8 - 24) = -9 - (-16) = 7. The total distance is 16+7=2316 + 7 = 23.
  14. A particle moves along a line with acceleration a(t)=6t−2a(t) = 6t - 2. At time t=0t=0, its velocity is v(0)=3v(0) = 3. What is the displacement of the particle over the time interval [1,4][1, 4]?
    Answer: 57 First, find the velocity function v(t)v(t) by integrating a(t)a(t). v(t)=∫(6t−2)dt=3t2−2t+Cv(t) = \int (6t - 2) dt = 3t^2 - 2t + C. Use the initial condition v(0)=3v(0) = 3 to find CC: 3(0)2−2(0)+C=3  ⟹  C=33(0)^2 - 2(0) + C = 3 \implies C = 3. So, v(t)=3t2−2t+3v(t) = 3t^2 - 2t + 3. Displacement is the integral of velocity. Displacement = ∫14(3t2−2t+3)dt=[t3−t2+3t]14\int_1^4 (3t^2 - 2t + 3) dt = [t^3 - t^2 + 3t]_1^4. Evaluate at the limits: ((4)3−(4)2+3(4))−((1)3−(1)2+3(1))=(64−16+12)−(1−1+3)=60−3=57((4)^3 - (4)^2 + 3(4)) - ((1)^3 - (1)^2 + 3(1)) = (64 - 16 + 12) - (1 - 1 + 3) = 60 - 3 = 57.
  15. The velocity of a particle is given by v(t)=et−3v(t) = e^t - 3. What is the total distance traveled by the particle from t=0t=0 to t=2t=2?
    Answer: e2+6ln⁡(3)−11e^2 + 6\ln(3) - 11 To find the total distance, we must integrate the speed, ∣v(t)∣|v(t)|. First, find where the velocity is zero: et−3=0⇒et=3⇒t=ln⁡(3)e^t - 3 = 0 \Rightarrow e^t = 3 \Rightarrow t = \ln(3). Since 1<ln⁡(3)<21 < \ln(3) < 2, the velocity changes sign in the interval [0,2][0, 2]. For t<ln⁡(3)t < \ln(3), v(t)<0v(t) < 0, and for t>ln⁡(3)t > \ln(3), v(t)>0v(t) > 0. The total distance is ∫02∣et−3∣dt=∫0ln⁡(3)−(et−3)dt+∫ln⁡(3)2(et−3)dt\int_{0}^{2} |e^t - 3| dt = \int_{0}^{\ln(3)} -(e^t - 3) dt + \int_{\ln(3)}^{2} (e^t - 3) dt. ∫(3−et)dt=3t−et\int (3 - e^t) dt = 3t - e^t. ∫(et−3)dt=et−3t\int (e^t - 3) dt = e^t - 3t. First integral: [3t−et]0ln⁡(3)=(3ln⁡(3)−eln⁡(3))−(0−e0)=3ln⁡(3)−3−(−1)=3ln⁡(3)−2[3t - e^t]_{0}^{\ln(3)} = (3\ln(3) - e^{\ln(3)}) - (0 - e^0) = 3\ln(3) - 3 - (-1) = 3\ln(3) - 2. Second integral: [et−3t]ln⁡(3)2=(e2−6)−(eln⁡(3)−3ln⁡(3))=e2−6−(3−3ln⁡(3))=e2−9+3ln⁡(3)[e^t - 3t]_{\ln(3)}^{2} = (e^2 - 6) - (e^{\ln(3)} - 3\ln(3)) = e^2 - 6 - (3 - 3\ln(3)) = e^2 - 9 + 3\ln(3). Total distance = (3ln⁡(3)−2)+(e2−9+3ln⁡(3))=e2+6ln⁡(3)−11(3\ln(3) - 2) + (e^2 - 9 + 3\ln(3)) = e^2 + 6\ln(3) - 11. A: This is the displacement ∫02(et−3)dt=e2−7\int_{0}^{2} (e^t - 3) dt = e^2 - 7, which incorrectly ignores the change in direction. C: This would be the result if one made the common error of evaluating e0=0e^0=0 instead of e0=1e^0=1. D: This could result from various calculation errors, such as miscalculating the antiderivative or the bounds of integration.
  16. The velocity of a particle is v(t)=t2−4t+3v(t) = t^2 - 4t + 3. The particle is at position s(1)=10s(1) = 10. What is the maximum position of the particle on the interval [0,4][0, 4]?
    Answer: 1010 To find the maximum position, we must check the critical points (where s′(t)=v(t)=0s'(t) = v(t) = 0) and the endpoints of the interval. v(t)=t2−4t+3=(t−1)(t−3)=0v(t) = t^2 - 4t + 3 = (t-1)(t-3) = 0, so critical points are at t=1t=1 and t=3t=3. The candidates for the time of maximum position on [0,4][0, 4] are t=0,1,3,4t=0, 1, 3, 4. Specifically, since v(t)v(t) is positive on [0,1)[0,1), negative on (1,3)(1,3), and positive on (3,4](3,4], the potential maxima are at t=1t=1 (local max) and t=4t=4 (endpoint). First, find the position function: s(t)=∫(t2−4t+3)dt=13t3−2t2+3t+Cs(t) = \int (t^2 - 4t + 3) dt = \frac{1}{3}t^3 - 2t^2 + 3t + C. Use s(1)=10s(1) = 10 to find C: 10=13−2+3+C⇒10=43+C⇒C=26310 = \frac{1}{3} - 2 + 3 + C \Rightarrow 10 = \frac{4}{3} + C \Rightarrow C = \frac{26}{3}. So, s(t)=13t3−2t2+3t+263s(t) = \frac{1}{3}t^3 - 2t^2 + 3t + \frac{26}{3}. Now evaluate the position at the candidates: s(0)=263≈8.67s(0) = \frac{26}{3} \approx 8.67. s(1)=10s(1) = 10. s(4)=13(4)3−2(4)2+3(4)+263=643−32+12+263=903−20=30−20=10s(4) = \frac{1}{3}(4)^3 - 2(4)^2 + 3(4) + \frac{26}{3} = \frac{64}{3} - 32 + 12 + \frac{26}{3} = \frac{90}{3} - 20 = 30 - 20 = 10. The maximum position is 10. A: This is the total distance traveled on [1,4][1,4], not the maximum position. B: This is the position at t=0t=0 and t=3t=3 (a local minimum), not the maximum. D: This value, 10+4/310 + 4/3, might result from adding the displacement on [3,4][3,4] to the maximum at t=1t=1 without considering the intermediate minimum.
  17. A particle moves with acceleration a(t)=sin⁡(t)−cos⁡(t)a(t) = \sin(t) - \cos(t). If v(0)=0v(0) = 0 and s(0)=1s(0) = 1, what is the particle's maximum velocity on the interval 0≤t≤2π0 \le t \le 2\pi?
    Answer: 1+21+\sqrt{2} First, find the velocity function v(t)v(t) by integrating a(t)a(t). v(t)=∫(sin⁡(t)−cos⁡(t))dt=−cos⁡(t)−sin⁡(t)+Cv(t) = \int (\sin(t) - \cos(t)) dt = -\cos(t) - \sin(t) + C. Using v(0)=0v(0) = 0, we have 0=−cos⁡(0)−sin⁡(0)+C⇒0=−1−0+C⇒C=10 = -\cos(0) - \sin(0) + C \Rightarrow 0 = -1 - 0 + C \Rightarrow C = 1. So, v(t)=1−cos⁡(t)−sin⁡(t)v(t) = 1 - \cos(t) - \sin(t). To find the maximum velocity, we find critical points by setting v′(t)=a(t)=0v'(t) = a(t) = 0. sin⁡(t)−cos⁡(t)=0⇒tan⁡(t)=1\sin(t) - \cos(t) = 0 \Rightarrow \tan(t) = 1. On [0,2π][0, 2\pi], this occurs at t=π/4t = \pi/4 and t=5π/4t = 5\pi/4. Evaluating v(t)v(t) at critical points and endpoints: v(0)=1−1−0=0v(0) = 1 - 1 - 0 = 0 v(π/4)=1−22−22=1−2v(\pi/4) = 1 - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} - \frac{\sqrt{2}}{2} = 1 - \sqrt{2} (minimum) v(5π/4)=1−(−22)−(−22)=1+2v(5\pi/4) = 1 - (-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}) - (-\frac{\sqrt{2}}{2}) = 1 + \sqrt{2} (maximum) v(2π)=1−1−0=0v(2\pi) = 1 - 1 - 0 = 0 The maximum velocity is 1+21 + \sqrt{2}. B: This would be the maximum if the constant of integration were 2 instead of 1. C: This is twice the initial velocity. D: This is the minimum velocity on the given interval.
  18. A particle's acceleration is a(t)=6t−2a(t) = 6t - 2. Its velocity at t=1t=1 is v(1)=0v(1)=0 and its position at t=1t=1 is s(1)=4s(1)=4. What is the particle's position at t=0t=0?
    Answer: 55 First, integrate a(t)a(t) to find v(t)v(t): v(t)=∫(6t−2)dt=3t2−2t+C1v(t) = \int (6t-2) dt = 3t^2 - 2t + C_1. Use v(1)=0v(1)=0 to find C1C_1: 0=3(1)2−2(1)+C1⇒0=1+C1⇒C1=−10 = 3(1)^2 - 2(1) + C_1 \Rightarrow 0 = 1 + C_1 \Rightarrow C_1 = -1. So, v(t)=3t2−2t−1v(t) = 3t^2 - 2t - 1. Next, integrate v(t)v(t) to find s(t)s(t): s(t)=∫(3t2−2t−1)dt=t3−t2−t+C2s(t) = \int (3t^2 - 2t - 1) dt = t^3 - t^2 - t + C_2. Use s(1)=4s(1)=4 to find C2C_2: 4=13−12−1+C2⇒4=−1+C2⇒C2=54 = 1^3 - 1^2 - 1 + C_2 \Rightarrow 4 = -1 + C_2 \Rightarrow C_2 = 5. So, the position function is s(t)=t3−t2−t+5s(t) = t^3 - t^2 - t + 5. Finally, find the position at t=0t=0: s(0)=03−02−0+5=5s(0) = 0^3 - 0^2 - 0 + 5 = 5. A: This happens if one correctly finds C1=−1C_1=-1 but forgets the second constant of integration C2C_2, assuming C2=0C_2=0. B: This happens if a sign error is made when finding C1C_1 (i.e., C1=1C_1=1), leading to C2=3C_2=3 and s(0)=3s(0)=3. C: This happens if one forgets the first constant C1C_1 (assuming C1=0C_1=0), which leads to C2=4C_2=4 and s(0)=4s(0)=4.
  19. A rocket has a constant acceleration a(t)=−10a(t) = -10 m/s2^2. It is launched upward from the ground (s(0)=0s(0)=0) and is observed to be at a height of 240 meters at t=4t=4 seconds. What was its initial launch velocity, v(0)v(0)?
    Answer: 80 m/s First, integrate the acceleration to find the velocity function: v(t)=∫−10dt=−10t+C1v(t) = \int -10 dt = -10t + C_1. At t=0t=0, the velocity is the initial velocity v(0)v(0), so v(0)=−10(0)+C1  ⟹  C1=v(0)v(0) = -10(0) + C_1 \implies C_1 = v(0). Thus, v(t)=−10t+v(0)v(t) = -10t + v(0). Next, integrate the velocity to find the position function: s(t)=∫(−10t+v(0))dt=−5t2+v(0)t+C2s(t) = \int (-10t + v(0)) dt = -5t^2 + v(0)t + C_2. The rocket is launched from the ground, so s(0)=0s(0)=0. This gives −5(0)2+v(0)(0)+C2=0  ⟹  C2=0-5(0)^2 + v(0)(0) + C_2 = 0 \implies C_2=0. So, s(t)=−5t2+v(0)ts(t) = -5t^2 + v(0)t. We are given that s(4)=240s(4) = 240. Substitute t=4t=4 into the position function: 240=−5(4)2+v(0)(4)=−5(16)+4v(0)=−80+4v(0)240 = -5(4)^2 + v(0)(4) = -5(16) + 4v(0) = -80 + 4v(0). Now, solve for v(0)v(0): 320=4v(0)  ⟹  v(0)=80320 = 4v(0) \implies v(0) = 80 m/s.
  20. The velocity of a particle is v(t)v(t). The expression 14∫15v(t)dt\frac{1}{4} \int_{1}^{5} v(t) dt represents which of the following?
    Answer: The particle's average velocity from t=1t=1 to t=5t=5. The expression 1b−a∫abf(x)dx\frac{1}{b-a} \int_{a}^{b} f(x) dx is the definition of the average value of the function f(x)f(x) on the interval [a,b][a, b]. In this case, f(x)f(x) is the velocity function v(t)v(t), a=1a=1, and b=5b=5. Therefore, 15−1∫15v(t)dt=14∫15v(t)dt\frac{1}{5-1} \int_{1}^{5} v(t) dt = \frac{1}{4} \int_{1}^{5} v(t) dt represents the average velocity of the particle on the time interval [1,5][1, 5]. B: Average acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the change in time, v(5)−v(1)5−1\frac{v(5)-v(1)}{5-1}, which by the Mean Value Theorem for Integrals is equal to the average value of acceleration 14∫15a(t)dt\frac{1}{4}\int_1^5 a(t)dt, not velocity. C: Total distance traveled is given by ∫15∣v(t)∣dt\int_{1}^{5} |v(t)| dt. D: The net change in position is ∫15v(t)dt\int_{1}^{5} v(t) dt. The expression divides this by 4 (the duration), not the initial time.

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