a car traveling on a straight road at 20 meters per second accelerates to 26 meters per second in 12 seconds. what is the total distance traveled by the car? please help!

Answer 1

I know that there are formulas in physics for this type of question, but I am not a physics teacher , so I will use standard Calculus

a = (v2 - v1)/(time2 - time1) = (26-20)/(12-0) = 6/12 = 1/2

since a = 1/2
v = (1/2)t + c
when t = 0, v = 20
20 = c
so v = (1/2)t + 20
then
d = (1/4)t^2 + 20t + k

at t=0 , d = k
at t = 12 , d = (1/4)(144) + 20(12) + k= 276+k

distance covered in that 12 seconds = 276k - k = 276 m

drwls or bobpursley could do it much easier.