# Equation for speed and velocity problems

• October 21st 2009, 07:28 AM
ktpinnock
Equation for speed and velocity problems
Hey again,

So I'm having a bit of trouble finding the equation of a problem I have.
I learnt yesterday how to find position, speed, velocity and acceleration of a function, but I don't know how to find the function itself.

So the question is,
A driver jumps from a platform diving board that is 32ft above the water with initial velocity at 16ft/sec.

Then it proceeds to tell you to find speed, velocity, and acceleration.

But how do I find the function to begin with? My teacher was saying something about if it was in meter then it would be 8.5 or something like that..and it would be a -32...but I'm not sure what she was getting at so can any one please explain?

Also, the second part of the question ask when does the driver hit the water, how would I go about solving for this? Thanks again
• October 21st 2009, 08:17 AM
Hello ktpinnock
Quote:

Originally Posted by ktpinnock
Hey again,

So I'm having a bit of trouble finding the equation of a problem I have.
I learnt yesterday how to find position, speed, velocity and acceleration of a function, but I don't know how to find the function itself.

So the question is,
A driver jumps from a platform diving board that is 32ft above the water with initial velocity at 16ft/sec.

Then it proceeds to tell you to find speed, velocity, and acceleration.

But how do I find the function to begin with? My teacher was saying something about if it was in meter then it would be 8.5 or something like that..and it would be a -32...but I'm not sure what she was getting at so can any one please explain?

Also, the second part of the question ask when does the driver hit the water, how would I go about solving for this? Thanks again

All you've told us is that the diver (not, I think, the driver) has an initial speed of $16\text{ ft/sec}$. We need to know the initial direction as well, in order to go any further with the question. So: more information, please.

The thing about metres and feet is that the acceleration downwards due to gravity is $32\text{ ft/sec}^2$, or in metric units, $9.8\text{ m/sec}^2$.

• October 21st 2009, 11:56 AM
ktpinnock
Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandad
Hello ktpinnockAll you've told us is that the diver (not, I think, the driver) has an initial speed of $16\text{ ft/sec}$. We need to know the initial direction as well, in order to go any further with the question. So: more information, please.

The thing about metres and feet is that the acceleration downwards due to gravity is $32\text{ ft/sec}^2$, or in metric units, $9.8\text{ m/sec}^2$.