Question

Two particles are moving in straight lines. The displacement (in meters) of particle 1 is given by the function e^(4cos(t)) , where t is in seconds. The displacement (in meters) of particle 2 is given by the function -(t^3)/(3) - (t^2)/(2) + 2 , where t is in seconds. Find the first positive time at which the particles have(approximately) the same velocity.

A.) t = 1.569 seconds
B.) t = 0 seconds
C.) t = 2.366 seconds
D.) t = 0.588 seconds
E.) t = 1.011 seconds

Answer 1

v1 = -4 sint e^4cost
v2 = -t^2 - t
so when does 4 sin t e^4 cos t = t^2+t ??
try approximately those answers to see when v1=v2
A 3.96 and 4.16
B 4 and 0 no
C the rest look pretty far off
try A accurately
4.0288 and 4.0307
It is A

Answer 2

Yes the answer is t=1.569
the first positive time which the two particles have the same velocity is at 1.569 seconds. checck this with nderv on your cal. easier to find the difference to find where its derivative is 0.