By definition, the average velocity on the time interval `[t_1,t_2]` is
`(y(t_2)-y(t_1))/(t_2-t_1)` . In this case, we are given that `t_1=4` seconds and `t_2=4+h` seconds. We plug these into the given equation to get
`y(4)=67*4-16*4^2=268-256=12` feet and
`y(4+h)=67(4+h)-16(4+h)^2=268+67h-256-128h-16h^2`
`=-16h^2-61h+12` feet. Now we just plug these into the average velocity formula:
`(y(t_2)-y(t_1))/(t_2-t_1)=((-16h^2-61h+12)-12)/((4+h)-4)`
`=(-16h^2-61h)/h=-16h-61`
The units in the numerator are feet and the units in the denominator are seconds, so the units of velocity turn out to be feet/second, as expected. The reason h can't be 0 is to avoid division by zero.
The average velocity on the interval [4,4+h] is -16h-61 ft/s.
` `` `
See eNotes Ad-Free
Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.
Already a member? Log in here.