Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Position Function
The position function, denoted as s = f(t), describes the location of an object at any given time t. In this case, the function f(t) = 18t - 3t² represents the position of the object in feet. Understanding this function is crucial as it provides the basis for determining both velocity and acceleration, which are derived from the position function.
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Velocity Function
The velocity function is the first derivative of the position function with respect to time, represented as v(t) = f'(t). It indicates the rate of change of position, showing how fast and in which direction the object is moving. For the given position function, calculating the derivative will yield the velocity function, which can then be analyzed to determine when the object is stationary (v(t) = 0), moving to the right (v(t) > 0), or moving to the left (v(t) < 0).
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Graphing Functions
Graphing functions involves plotting the values of a function on a coordinate system to visualize its behavior. For the velocity function derived from the position function, the graph will help identify key features such as intercepts, maxima, and minima. Analyzing the graph allows for a clear understanding of the object's motion over time, including when it changes direction or comes to a stop.
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