Math 1210 Signature Assignment: Derivatives

Suppose that a particle moves according to the law of motion s (t) = t4 − 6t3 + 4t2 + 3 with
t​ ≥ 0, where ​s​ is in meters and ​t​ is in seconds. Use your knowledge of the relationship between
position, velocity, and acceleration to answer the following questions. Use exact values (not
approximations) throughout.

a) Find the velocity of the particle at time ​t.​ What is the velocity at ​t​ = 0?
Velocity is reflected by the equation: s’(t) = 4t3 − 18t2 + 8t1
Velocity at t = 0
3 2 1
S’ (0) = 4(0) − 18t(0) + 8(0) = 0
b) Determine, using algebraic analysis, when the particle is moving in a positive direction, a
negative direction, and when it is at rest.

Position is reflected by the equation: s(t) = t4 − 6t3 + 4t2 + 3

The position of the particle is determined by the equation s(t). when the result of this
equation is greater than 0 then the particle is moving in the positive direction, and
whenever the result is less than 0 then the particle is moving in a negative direction.
When it is at rest, we set the equation equal to 0 and we determine the critical value which
doesn’t occur. Therefore, the particle is always moving in the positive direction.

c) Find the total distance traveled by the particle in the first 6 seconds.
[ ] stands for the absolute value.
[s(6)-s(5)]+[s(5)-s(4)]+[s(4)-s(3)]+[s(3)-s(2)]+[s(2)-s(1)]+[s(1)-s(0)]= 272
d) Find the acceleration of the particle at time ​t.​ What is the acceleration at ​t​ = 0?

Acceleration is reflected by the equation: s” (t) = 12t2 − 36t1 + 8

Acceleration at t = 0
S” (0) = 8 m/s^2

e) When is the particle speeding up and slowing down? Explain how you found your
answers.

When both the velocity and acceleration of the particle are positive, the particle is speeding
up. When the velocity and acceleration are both negative, the particle is also
speeding up. When velocity and acceleration are opposite signs, one positive and the
other negative then the particle is slowing down​.
In this image, we see the particle in red, velocity in blue and acceleration in green.
As you can see, the velocity is positive on the interval: (2.632, infinity) and (0, 0.242). It is
negative on the interval: (0.5, 2.632). While acceleration is negative on interval (0.242, 1.5)
and positive on interval (1.5, infinity). From this we can determine the particle is speeding
up on interval (0.5, 2.632) and (1.5, infinity) but slowing down on the interval (2.632, 1.5).

Reflection paper: This assignment showed me a way calculus can be used in a particle
application. Also, it helped me looking in deeper to velocity and acceleration in real life.