[Math] Calculus Velocity and Acceleration Problem.

calculus

Okay so this is the problem: "On a certain planet, a ball is thrown upward with a speed of 33 feet per second from the edge
of a cliff 44 feet above the ground. When does it hit the ground? (use a(t) = −22).

I already know that the answer is 4 seconds but I don't understand how to get there. Can someone please guide me and explain to me the process of solving this problem? Thank you!

Best Answer

Hint: Start with the fact that acceleration is the derivative of velocity, which is the derivative of position. We know that $a(t) = -22$, so integrate it to find the velocity, using the information about the initial velocity in order to find the constant of integration. Then once you've found the velocity $v(t)$, you can integrate that to find the position, and again you'll have a new constant of integration that you can find the value of by using the information about the original position. Once you've found the position $x(t)$, you can solve for the time $t$ where the position of the ball is at the ground, i.e. $x = 0$.

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