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Ch. 5 - Integration
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 5, Problem 5.1.3a

The velocity in ft/s of an object moving along a line is given by v = ƒ(t) on the interval 0 ≤ t ≤ 8 (see figure), where t is measured in seconds.
a) Divide the interval [0,8] into n = 2 subintervals, [0,4] and [4,8]. On each subinterval, assume the object moves at a constant velocity equal to the value of v evaluated at the midpoint of the subinterval, and use these approximations to estimate the displacement of the object on [0,8] (see part (a) of the figure)                                                                                                             


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Step 1: Divide the interval [0,8] into two subintervals: [0,4] and [4,8]. These subintervals are determined based on the problem's requirement to use n = 2 subintervals.
Step 2: Identify the midpoints of each subinterval. For [0,4], the midpoint is t = 2, and for [4,8], the midpoint is t = 6.
Step 3: Evaluate the velocity function v = ƒ(t) at the midpoints. From the graph, v(2) ≈ 40 ft/s and v(6) ≈ 60 ft/s.
Step 4: Calculate the displacement for each subinterval using the formula displacement = velocity × time. For [0,4], displacement ≈ v(2) × (4 - 0) = 40 × 4. For [4,8], displacement ≈ v(6) × (8 - 4) = 60 × 4.
Step 5: Add the displacements from both subintervals to estimate the total displacement of the object on [0,8]. Total displacement ≈ displacement from [0,4] + displacement from [4,8].

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Velocity Function

The velocity function, denoted as v = ƒ(t), describes how the velocity of an object changes over time. In this context, it provides the instantaneous speed of the object at any given time t within the interval [0, 8]. Understanding this function is crucial for estimating displacement, as it directly influences how far the object travels during each time segment.
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Using The Velocity Function

Midpoint Rule

The Midpoint Rule is a numerical method used to approximate the area under a curve, which in this case represents displacement. By evaluating the velocity at the midpoint of each subinterval, we can assume the object moves at a constant velocity during that interval. This method simplifies calculations and provides a reasonable estimate of total displacement over the entire interval.
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Displacement

Displacement refers to the total distance an object moves in a specific direction over a given time period. In this problem, it is calculated by summing the products of the velocity (evaluated at midpoints) and the duration of each subinterval. Understanding displacement is essential for interpreting the motion of the object and applying the results of the Midpoint Rule effectively.
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Using The Velocity Function
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Bounds on an integral Suppose ƒ is continuous on [a, b] with ƒ''(𝓍) > 0 on the interval. It can be shown that (b―a) ƒ [(a + b) /2] ≤ ∫ₐᵇ ƒ(𝓍) d𝓍 ≤ (b―a) [ (ƒ(a) + ƒ(b)) /2]                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                               

(a) Assuming ƒ is nonnegative on [a, b], draw a figure to illustrate the geometric meaning of these inequalities. Discuss your conclusions. b. 

Textbook Question

Working with area functions Consider the function ƒ and the points a, b, and c.

(a) Find the area function A (𝓍) = ∫ₐˣ ƒ(t) dt using the Fundamental Theorem.

ƒ(𝓍) = ― 12𝓍 (𝓍―1) (𝓍― 2) ; a = 0 , b = 1 , c = 2

Textbook Question

Use Table 5.6 to evaluate the following indefinite integrals.                                                                                                               

                                                                                                                                                                  

 (a) ∫ e¹⁰ˣ d𝓍

Textbook Question

{Use of Tech} Midpoint Riemann sums with a calculator Consider the following definite integrals.

(a) Write the midpoint Riemann sum in sigma notation for an arbitrary value of n.


∫₁⁴ 2√𝓍 d𝓍

Textbook Question

Area functions for constant functions Consider the following functions ƒ and real numbers a (see figure).

(a) Find and graph the area function A(𝓍) = ∫ₐˣ ƒ(t) dt for ƒ.

ƒ(t) = 5 , a = 0

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Textbook Question

Explain why or why not Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.

(a) If ƒ is a constant function on the interval [a,b], then the right and left Riemann sums give the exact value of ∫ₐᵇ ƒ(𝓍) d𝓍, for any positive integer n.