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posted by  Deb2 on 11/26/2008 10:44:27 AM  |  status: Live  

Derivatives

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Question Details:
 If an individual is in a race and at first her timing dropped rapidly and then leveled off at a slower rate, which is negative? F(x), F’(x), or F’’(x)?

 I believe it is F’’(x). Could anyone tell me if I’m correct? 

 Thanks so much!

 

Tags: Calculus

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posted by The Joker on 11/26/2008 11:08:59 AM  |  status: Live
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Deb2's comment:
"Thanks so much for your help!"
Response Details:
Well if a runner is dropping out rapidly then it would be F'(x) since the first derivative is the velocity. 2nd derivative is position and 3rd is jerk of the position.
I hope this helps!
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posted by Lord Font le Roy on 11/26/2008 11:19:19 AM  |  status: Live
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Response Details:

Of  F(x), F’(x), and  F’’(x), only F'(x) is negative.  F(x) cannot take on any negative values, based on the problem, so F(x) is positive everywhere.  F'(x) is negative, since F(x) is decreasing everywhere (i.e. the slopes at every point of the function are negative, hence a negative fist derivative everywhere).  Lastly, the function decreases rapidly in the beginning and then slower towards the end.  So, this would be a concave up graph, which means the first derivative is increasing everywhere (i.e. the slopes are increasing as x increases). So, the second derivative is positive everywhere.
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