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Ch. 6 - Applications of Integration
Briggs - Calculus: Early Transcendentals 3rd Edition
Briggs3rd EditionCalculus: Early TranscendentalsISBN: 9780136847243Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksBriggs 3rd EditionCh. 6 - Applications of IntegrationProblem 6.1.16b
Chapter 6, Problem 6.1.16b

13–16. Displacement from velocity Consider an object moving along a line with the given velocity v. Assume time t is measured in seconds and velocities have units of m/s.


b. Find the displacement over the given interval. 


v(t) = 50e^−2t on [0, 4]

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the displacement as the definite integral of the velocity function over the given time interval. Displacement is given by \(\int_{a}^{b} v(t) \, dt\), where \(a=0\) and \(b=4\) in this problem.
Write down the integral to find displacement: \(\int_{0}^{4} 50 e^{-2t} \, dt\).
Recall the integral formula for an exponential function: \(\int e^{kt} \, dt = \frac{1}{k} e^{kt} + C\). Here, \(k = -2\).
Apply the integral formula to \(50 e^{-2t}\): the antiderivative is \(50 \times \frac{1}{-2} e^{-2t} = -25 e^{-2t}\).
Evaluate the definite integral by substituting the limits: calculate \([-25 e^{-2t}]\) from \(t=0\) to \(t=4\), which means computing \(-25 e^{-8} - (-25 e^{0})\).

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Key Concepts

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

Displacement and Velocity Relationship

Displacement represents the change in position of an object and is found by integrating the velocity function over a given time interval. Since velocity is the rate of change of position, integrating velocity with respect to time gives the net displacement.
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Derivatives Applied To Velocity

Definite Integral

A definite integral calculates the accumulated quantity, such as displacement, over a specific interval. For velocity functions, the definite integral from time a to b gives the total displacement between those times.
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Definition of the Definite Integral

Exponential Decay Function

The velocity function v(t) = 50e^(-2t) is an exponential decay, meaning velocity decreases rapidly over time. Understanding how to integrate exponential functions is essential to find displacement accurately.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

Determine whether the following statements are true and give an explanation or counterexample.


b. The area of the region between y=sin x and y=cos x on the interval [0,π/2] is ∫π/20(cosx−sinx)dx.

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Textbook Question

Distance traveled and displacement Suppose an object moves along a line with velocity (in ft/s) v(t)=6−2t, for 0≤t≤6, where t is measured in seconds.


b. Find the displacement of the object on the interval 0≤t≤6.

Textbook Question

40–43. Population growth


Starting with an initial value of P(0)=55, the population of a prairie dog community grows at a rate of P′(t)=20−t/5 (prairie dogs/month), for 0≤t≤200, where t is measured in months.


b. Find the population P(t), for 0≤t≤200.

Textbook Question

Consider the following curves on the given intervals.  


b. Use a calculator or software to approximate the surface area.


y=tan x , for 0≤x≤π/4; about the x-axis 

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Textbook Question

9–10. Velocity graphs The figures show velocity functions for motion along a line. Assume the motion begins with an initial position of s(0)=0. Determine the following.

b. The distance traveled between t=0 and t=5

Textbook Question

Consider the following curves on the given intervals.  


b. Use a calculator or software to approximate the surface area.


y=cos x, for 0≤x≤π/2; about the x-axis