Thread: [SOLVED] Calculus help

Ok here is the problem:
You throw a pumpkin up into the air at an initial speed of 48'/sec.
Use the following formula: s(t)= -16t^2 + Vot +So
Vo=initial velocity (48) and So=initial height

(a) What is the height at 1.5 sec?


(b)What is the velocity at 1.5 sec?

(c) At what time does the pumpkin hit the ground?

(d) What is the velocity when it hit the ground?

What I am really having trouble with is the inital height for part c. Thanks!

Originally Posted by sparklerose18

Ok here is the problem:
You throw a pumpkin up into the air at an initial speed of 48'/sec.
Use the following formula: s(t)= -16t^2 + Vot +So
Vo=initial velocity (48) and So=initial height

(a) What is the height at 1.5 sec?


(b)What is the velocity at 1.5 sec?

(c) At what time does the pumpkin hit the ground?

(d) What is the velocity when it hit the ground?

What I am really having trouble with is the inital height for part c. Thanks!

I don't know if you're familiar with the kinematic equations from physics I, but I'll give you one that will help you out.



where vf is final velocity, v0 is initial velocity, a is accereration, and d is distance. Use that equation to find out how high the pumpkin went. Then use the same equation to solve for vf on the way down.

And for the parts involving velocity, differentiate your position function and you should have all of the info from there.