Problema Solution

After a boulder is pushed down a hill, its speed s(t) at time t is given by the formula s(t)=v+at, where v is the initial velocity and a is the acceleration. If s(2)=16 and s(5)=25, find the initial velocity and acceleration.(round to the nearest tenth)

Answer provided by our tutors

s(t)=v+at

s(2)= v + 2a and also s(2) = 16 so we have:

v + 2a = 16

s(5) = v + 5a and also s(5) = 25 so we have:

v + 5a = 25

We have the following system of equations:

v + 2a = 16

v + 5a = 25

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click here to see the system of equations solved for v and a

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v = 10 m/h

a = 3 m/h^2

The initial velocity is 10 m/h while the acceleration is 3 m/h^2.