A particle moves along the x-axis so that at any time t, measured in seconds, its position is given by s(t) = sin(t) - 4cos(2t), measured in feet. What is the acceleration of the particle at time t = π seconds?

Question

steve816 · Answer

Hey! Welcome to OpenStudy!!!

steve816 · Answer

You are looking for acceleration ya?
Remember that acceleration is the second derivative of a position function. Can you find the second derivative of your equation?

sbentleyaz · Answer

I got -1 as the answer but i am not sure if its right

sooobored · Answer

the first derivative of the position function will yield the velocity function
the 2nd derivative of the position function will yield the acceleration function or the first derivative of the velocity function

s(t) = sin(t) - 4cos(2t)
s'(t)= cos(t) +8sin(2t)
s''(t) = -sin(t) + 16 cos(2t)

if you want to find the acceleration when t= pi
then you use the derived acceleration function 
s''(pi)=...

sooobored · Answer

comment-

i did not get -1 as the acceleration

sunnnystrong · Answer

... ^ find the equation of the second derivative and plug in pi