Analyzing Motion Using Graphs


[Technology Exercise] Exercises 31–34 give the position function s = f(t) of an object moving along the s-axis as a function of time t. Graph f together with the velocity function v(t) = ds/dt = f'(t) and the acceleration function a(t) = d²s/dt² = f''(t). Comment on the object’s behavior in relation to the signs and values of v and a. Include in your commentary such topics as the following:


c. When does it change direction?


s = t² - 3t + 2, 0 ≤ t ≤ 5

Theory and Examples

In Exercises 51–54,

c. For what values of x, if any, is f' positive? Zero? Negative?

y = −x²

Suppose that the functions f and g and their derivatives with respect to x have the following values at x = 0 and x = 1.

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Find the derivatives with respect to x of the following combinations at the given value of x.

c. f(x) / (g(x) + 1), x = 1

Right circular cylinder The total surface area S of a right circular cylinder is related to the base radius r and height h by the equation S = 2πr² + 2πrh.

c. How is dS/dt related to dr/dt and dh/dt if neither r nor h is constant?

The folium of Descartes (See Figure 3.27)

c. Find the coordinates of the point A in Figure 3.29 where the folium has a vertical tangent line.

Diagonals If x, y, and z are lengths of the edges of a rectangular box, then the common length of the box’s diagonals is s = √(x² + y² + z²).

c. How are dx/dt, dy/dt, and dz/dt related if s is constant?

Differentiability and Continuity on an Interval

Each figure in Exercises 45–50 shows the graph of a function over a closed interval D. At what domain points does the function appear to be

c. neither continuous nor differentiable?

Give reasons for your answers.