Pg.

386 #17
The graph of the velocity of a particle moving on the x -axis is given below. The
particles initial position is x=2 . Find (a) the particles final position, and (b) the total
distance traveled by the particle.

The particles displacement throughout the duration of its travel is

area between the graph and the

x -axis from

x=0 to

x=4

v ( t ) dt
0

, and the

is

1
( 4 sec ) (2 m/s ec )=4 m
v ( t ) dt=6 m . The distance
. This gives a final position of 2+
2
0
4

traveled does not depend on the initial position and is equal to

to 4 m

|v ( t )|dt
0

, which is also equal

because the particle does not undergo any negative displacements.