Math Problem Statement

A rocket is launched vertically upward from the ground with a speed of 100 ft/s. Neglecting air resistance, the position of the rocket after t seconds is given by s(t) = -16t^2 + 100t. Find the average velocity of the rocket over the time interval [1, 1 + h], where h > 0 is a real number.

Solution

The given problem asks to find the average velocity of a rocket launched vertically upwards over a time interval [1,1+h][1, 1 + h], where h>0h > 0.

We are given the equation for the position of the rocket at time tt as: s(t)=16t2+100ts(t) = -16t^2 + 100t This is a quadratic function representing the rocket's position s(t)s(t) in feet, where s=0s = 0 corresponds to the ground.

Average Velocity Formula:

The average velocity of the rocket over the interval [1,1+h][1, 1 + h] is given by: Average Velocity=s(1+h)s(1)(1+h)1=s(1+h)s(1)h\text{Average Velocity} = \frac{s(1 + h) - s(1)}{(1 + h) - 1} = \frac{s(1 + h) - s(1)}{h} Now, let’s compute s(1+h)s(1 + h) and s(1)s(1).

  1. Compute s(1)s(1): s(1)=16(1)2+100(1)=16+100=84s(1) = -16(1)^2 + 100(1) = -16 + 100 = 84

  2. Compute s(1+h)s(1 + h): Substituting t=1+ht = 1 + h into the position function: s(1+h)=16(1+h)2+100(1+h)s(1 + h) = -16(1 + h)^2 + 100(1 + h) Expanding both terms: s(1+h)=16(1+2h+h2)+100(1+h)s(1 + h) = -16(1 + 2h + h^2) + 100(1 + h) s(1+h)=16(1+2h+h2)+100+100hs(1 + h) = -16(1 + 2h + h^2) + 100 + 100h s(1+h)=1632h16h2+100+100hs(1 + h) = -16 - 32h - 16h^2 + 100 + 100h Simplifying: s(1+h)=84+68h16h2s(1 + h) = 84 + 68h - 16h^2

  3. Average velocity: Now, apply these values to the average velocity formula: Average Velocity=s(1+h)s(1)h=(84+68h16h2)84h\text{Average Velocity} = \frac{s(1 + h) - s(1)}{h} = \frac{(84 + 68h - 16h^2) - 84}{h} Simplifying: Average Velocity=68h16h2h\text{Average Velocity} = \frac{68h - 16h^2}{h} Average Velocity=6816h\text{Average Velocity} = 68 - 16h

Final Answer:

The average velocity of the rocket over the time interval [1,1+h][1, 1 + h] is: 6816hft/s.\boxed{68 - 16h} \, \text{ft/s}.

Would you like more details or clarifications on any part of this solution?

Here are 5 questions to extend this topic:

  1. How does the acceleration due to gravity affect the equation of motion?
  2. How would air resistance change the result for average velocity?
  3. What would the velocity of the rocket be at t=1t = 1?
  4. How can you determine the maximum height reached by the rocket?
  5. What is the significance of the coefficient 16-16 in the equation for position?

Tip: The derivative of the position function gives the instantaneous velocity, which can help when analyzing motion at specific moments in time.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Average Velocity
Quadratic Functions
Physics of Motion

Formulas

s(t) = -16t^2 + 100t
Average Velocity = (s(t2) - s(t1)) / (t2 - t1)

Theorems

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12 (or introductory college physics)