Constants?

E.L.Kim · August 16th, 2009, 03:53 PM

We had a problem last week with a group submission.

acceleration:

a(t)=cos(t)

At time t=0, the position is x=4 in the question, and we were asked to find the velocity, position, and the "values for t when the particle was at rest". We got that, except the constants. None of us could figure out how to find the constants. She hasn't gotten back to us with comments or grades, and we don't expect them anytime soon since she went on vacation. Out of curiosity could you tell me/us how to do this?

mattpi · August 16th, 2009, 04:22 PM

This problem isn't doable without more information. You are given a second-order differential equation

$\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=\cos t$

with one boundary condition $x(0)=4.$ The solution of the differential equation can be found by integrating twice:

$\frac{dx}{dt}=\sin t+C;$ substituting $t=0$ in here gives $C=v_0,$ the initial velocity. Integrate again:

$x(t)=-\cos t+v_0t+C#39;;$ again, substitute in $t=0$ to get $4=-1+C#39;,$ or

$x(t)=5-\cos t+v_0t.$

Without $v_0,$ or at least a value of $\frac{dx}{dt}$ for some value of $t,$ you cannot determine fixed points - indeed, there will not be any if $|v_0|>1.$

E.L.Kim · August 18th, 2009, 05:59 AM

Thanks for the help. I thought maybe I should type in the question exactly as she gave it in case that helps any. I'm not an expert at this enough to know if I left something important out.

Quote:

A particle, initially at rest, moves along the x-axis in a way that it's acceleration at time t>0 is:

a(t)=cos(t)

At the time t=0, its position is x=4 (necessary information to solve for the integration constants).

A) Find the expression for the particle's velocity.

B) Find the expression for the particle's position.

C) Find the values of t for which the particle is at rest.

I know from the directions that there are constants we need to find. We just didn't know how to go about it. I'm getting seriously annoyed at her for running off so late in the class.

skipjack · August 18th, 2009, 07:46 AM

You now state the particle was initially at rest, so
$a(t)\,=\,\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}\,=\,\cos(t)$
with initial conditions
$x(0)=4\text{ and }x#39;(0)\,=\,0.$

Hence mattpi's solution becomes
$x(t)=5\,-\,\cos(t),$
$v(t)\,=\,x#39;(t)=\sin(t).$

The particle is therefore at rest whenever t is a non-negative integer multiple of pi.

August 16th, 2009, 03:53 PM	#1
E.L.Kim Newbie Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 6 Thanks: 0	Constants? We had a problem last week with a group submission. acceleration: a(t)=cos(t) At time t=0, the position is x=4 in the question, and we were asked to find the velocity, position, and the "values for t when the particle was at rest". We got that, except the constants. None of us could figure out how to find the constants. She hasn't gotten back to us with comments or grades, and we don't expect them anytime soon since she went on vacation. Out of curiosity could you tell me/us how to do this?
$E.L.Kim is offline$

August 16th, 2009, 04:22 PM	#2
mattpi Senior Member Joined: May 2008 From: York, UK Posts: 1,300 Thanks: 0	Re: Constants? This problem isn't doable without more information. You are given a second-order differential equation $\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}=\cos t$ with one boundary condition $x(0)=4.$ The solution of the differential equation can be found by integrating twice: $\frac{dx}{dt}=\sin t+C;$ substituting $t=0$ in here gives $C=v_0,$ the initial velocity. Integrate again: $x(t)=-\cos t+v_0t+C#39;;$ again, substitute in $t=0$ to get $4=-1+C#39;,$ or $x(t)=5-\cos t+v_0t.$ Without $v_0,$ or at least a value of $\frac{dx}{dt}$ for some value of $t,$ you cannot determine fixed points - indeed, there will not be any if $\|v_0\|>1.$
$mattpi is offline$

August 18th, 2009, 07:46 AM	#4
skipjack Global Moderator Joined: Dec 2006 Posts: 19,967 Thanks: 1849	You now state the particle was initially at rest, so $a(t)\,=\,\frac{d^2x}{dt^2}\,=\,\cos(t)$ with initial conditions $x(0)=4\text{ and }x#39;(0)\,=\,0.$ Hence mattpi's solution becomes $x(t)=5\,-\,\cos(t),$ $v(t)\,=\,x#39;(t)=\sin(t).$ The particle is therefore at rest whenever t is a non-negative integer multiple of pi.
$skipjack is offline$

Thread Tools
$Show Printable Version$ Show Printable Version $Email this Page$ Email this Page
Display Modes
$Linear Mode$ Linear Mode $Hybrid Mode$ Switch to Hybrid Mode $Threaded Mode$ Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
If A and W are two given constants and A= x+(y*W) then how c	ilgaar	Number Theory	6	May 11th, 2013 10:42 AM
Seeking help with the constants a and b	dthomas86	Algebra	3	January 16th, 2012 11:35 AM
Mathematical Constants	prashantakerkar	Algebra	6	August 18th, 2011 11:13 PM
Functions and Constants	Nonno	Elementary Math	4	June 23rd, 2010 01:48 PM
Functions and Constants	Nonno	Economics	1	June 23rd, 2010 01:34 AM