Calculus 1 : Velocity

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Calculus 1

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Example Questions

Example Question #121 : Calculus

Find  at  for

.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First we need to find  before evaluating it at .

.

This was found by using the definition of the derivative for exponential functions.

The definition is,

.

 

Now we can evaluate  at 

 

Example Question #121 : Spatial Calculus

At time , a diver jumps from a cliff that is  feet above the water. The cliff diver's position is represented by the following: , where  is measured in feet and  is measured in seconds.

What is the velocity of the cliff diver when he/she hits the ground?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, set  to equal 

.

Then solve for :

 and .

Therefore, . Since  represents time in seconds, we can rule out .

This means that it takes the cliff diver 2 seconds to reach the water. Next, take the derivative of  by using the Power Rule  and plug in for .

The cliff diver's velocity was  when he/she hit the water.

Example Question #121 : How To Find Velocity

Mark throws a tennis ball into the air at . It's position is represented by , where  is in seconds and  is in meters.

What is the velocity of the ball at ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

First, take the first derivative of the equation by using the Power Rule  : 

.

Then, plug in for 

.

Therefore, the velocity is .

Example Question #122 : Spatial Calculus

Sara goes to a skate park and enters a bowl. The bowl at the park is represented by , where  represents distance in feet and  represents time in seconds. 

What is Sara's velocity at ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Take the first derivative of the equation by using the Power Rule  : 

.

Then, plug in 

.

Therefore, the velocity at  is .

Example Question #123 : Spatial Calculus

A cannonball is shot from a cannon. Its position is represented by , where  represents distance in meters and  represents time in seconds.

What is the velocity of the cannonball at ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Take the first derivative by using the Power Rule  of ,

.

Then, plug in ,

.

Example Question #124 : Spatial Calculus

Leela throws a football across a field. It's position is represeted by , where  represents distance in feet and  represents time in secomds.

What is the velocity at ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Take the first derivative by using the Power Rule  of ,

.

Then, plug in for ,

.

Example Question #127 : Calculus

Lucas tosses an orange into the air. Its position is represented by , where  represents distance in feet and  represents time in seconds. 

What is the velocity of the orange at ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Take the first derivative by using the Power Rule  of ,

.

Then, plug in 

.

Example Question #125 : Spatial Calculus

A ball is dropped into a bowl. The position of the ball is represented by , where  represents distance in inches and  represents time in seconds.

What is the velocity of the ball at ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Take the first derivative by using the Power Rule  of ,

.

Then, plug in for ,

.

Example Question #121 : How To Find Velocity

A given arrow has a position defined by the equation . What is its velocity at time ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

By definition, velocity is the first derivative of position, or .

Given a position 

, we can use the power rule 

 where  to determine that 

.

Therefore, at 

.

Example Question #121 : How To Find Velocity

Aaron's car has a position defined by the equation . What is its velocity at time ?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

By definition, velocity is the first derivative of position, or .

Given a position 

, we can use the power rule 

 where  to determine that 

.

Therefore, at 

.

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