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Mathematics 84 Online
OpenStudy (anonymous):

An object has a constant acceleration of 40 ft/sec^2, an initial velocity of -20 ft/sec, and an initial position of 10 feet. Find the position function, s(t), describing the motion of the object

OpenStudy (anonymous):

S(t) = 40t^2 - 10t + 10

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Sorry, -20t. Am I correct?

OpenStudy (whpalmer4):

position function will be\[s(t) = s_0 + v_0t + \frac{1}{2}at^2\]where \(s_0\) is the initial position and \(v_0\) is the initial velocity and \(a\) is the acceleration.

OpenStudy (whpalmer4):

not quite...

OpenStudy (whpalmer4):

2 of 3 terms are correct, but one is not.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

so S(t) = 10 - 20t + 20t^2?

OpenStudy (whpalmer4):

yes, that's correct.

OpenStudy (anonymous):

Awesome, thanks!!!!

OpenStudy (whpalmer4):

position function will always have that general form, but if the initial position is 0, or the initial velocity is 0, then those terms will vanish, of course.

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