The position of a particle moving along x-axis varies with time t as #4x + t^2 = 4#. At what position, the particle is at rest?

  1. x = 4

  2. x = -2

  3. x = 1

  4. x = 2

1 Answer
Nov 20, 2017

Selection 3. x = 1

Explanation:

Given:

#4x + t^2 = 4#

Solve for x:

#4x = 4 - t^2#

#x = 1 - t^2/4" [1]"#

Compute the first derivative with respect to t:

#dx/dt = t/2#

The speed is 0 at the time(s) where the first derivative is equal to 0:

#t/2 = 0#

#t = 0#

To find the x coordinate, substitute 0 for t in equation [1] :

#x = 1 - 0^2/4#

#x = 1#

This corresponds to selection 3.