Math Problem Statement

Given the velocity-time graph, how do you calculate the total displacement?

Solution

The graph you've shared appears to show velocity (v) on the vertical axis (in meters per second, m/s), and time (t) on the horizontal axis (in seconds, s). It's a piecewise linear graph that forms a triangle with a peak at (3,6)(3,6), indicating that the velocity increases from 0 m/s to 6 m/s in the first 3 seconds and then decreases back to 0 m/s at 6 seconds.

If this graph represents the velocity over time, we can calculate the displacement by finding the area under the curve (since displacement is the integral of velocity over time).

Steps:

  1. Break the graph into two sections:

    • From t=0t = 0 to t=3t = 3 seconds: This is a triangle with a base of 3 seconds and a height of 6 m/s.
    • From t=3t = 3 to t=6t = 6 seconds: Another triangle with the same dimensions.
  2. Calculate the area of each triangle:

    • Area of a triangle = 12×base×height\frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}.

    • For both triangles, the base is 3 seconds and the height is 6 m/s, so the area of each triangle is: Area=12×3×6=9meters.\text{Area} = \frac{1}{2} \times 3 \times 6 = 9 \, \text{meters}.

  3. Total displacement: Since there are two identical triangles, the total displacement is: Total displacement=9+9=18meters.\text{Total displacement} = 9 + 9 = 18 \, \text{meters}.

Thus, the total displacement over the 6-second interval is 18 meters.

Would you like more details on this or have any questions? Here are five related questions:

  1. How do you calculate velocity from displacement and time?
  2. What is the significance of the slope of the line on a velocity-time graph?
  3. How can we interpret negative velocities on a velocity-time graph?
  4. Can we calculate acceleration from this graph?
  5. What if the graph was not linear—how would the displacement be calculated?

Tip: When dealing with velocity-time graphs, the area under the curve always represents the displacement.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Velocity-Time Graph
Displacement Calculation
Integration

Formulas

Area of a triangle = 1/2 * base * height
Displacement = Area under the velocity-time graph

Theorems

The area under a velocity-time graph gives displacement

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11