What is the instantaneous velocity of an object moving in accordance to f(t)= (sin(t+pi),cos(3t-pi/4)) at t=(pi)/3 ?

1 Answer
Apr 6, 2016

The instantaneous velocity of f(t) => for t=pi/3 is:
f(t) = (-sqrt(3)/2, -sqrt(2)/2)

Explanation:

Given: f(t)=(sin(t+pi),cos(3t-pi/4))

Required: The instantaneous velocity at t=(pi)/3

Solution Strategy:
The instantaneous velocity at any time is f(t) itself so you need
Evaluate the f(t)=f(t)|_(t=pi/3)=f(pi/3)

color(green)("Evaluate at at " t=(pi)/3)
f(t)=(sin(t+pi),cos(3t-pi/4))=(-sin(t),cos(3t-pi/4))
f(t)=(-sin(pi/3),cos(3pi/3-pi/4))
f'(t) = (-sqrt(3)/2, -sqrt(2)/2)

color(red)(Remark): This is deceptively easy problem. Most students are easily tricked to think that f(t) is not the instantaneous velocity at any time. But f(t) is indeed the instantaneous velocity at anytime. It is asking what it is at a given point.