Home > CALC > Chapter 1 > Lesson 1.4.4 > Problem 1-184
As a cheetah runs, its velocity is
Sketch a graph of
on your paper. Approximately how fast is the cheetah running at
second? How did you get your answer? This is a velocity function. So, what is the
value at ? To catch prey, such as an antelope, the cheetah runs for
seconds. Approximately how far does it need to run to catch its prey? Describe your method. Use geometry to approximate the area under the curve.
Trapezoid Method
ft
Midpoint Methodft
There are other valid geometric methods.If the cheetah spots Annalou the Antelope standing
feet north of the Great Pond and runs north in a direct line towards her, catching her in exactly seconds, what was the cheetah's initial position relative to the pond? Your answer in part (c) is an approximation of how far the cheetah traveled in
seconds. At , Annalou was only feet north of the pond. Where was the cheetah?