Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Position Functions
In this context, the position functions s₁ = cos t and s₂ = cos(t + π/4) describe the locations of two particles along the s-axis as functions of time t. Understanding these functions is crucial for analyzing the motion of the particles, as they provide the basis for calculating distances between them at any given time.
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Distance Between Two Points
The distance between the two particles at any time t can be determined by the absolute difference of their position functions: |s₁ - s₂|. This concept is essential for solving the problem, as it allows us to quantify how far apart the particles are at any moment, which is necessary to find the maximum distance.
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Maximization Techniques
To find the farthest distance between the two particles, we need to apply techniques of maximization, often involving calculus. This may include finding critical points by taking the derivative of the distance function and setting it to zero, as well as evaluating endpoints or using the second derivative test to confirm maximum values.
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