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Grade 12 Calculus · Boss lesson · The Speed Trap · about 7 minutes
Exam-hall rules, one position function
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Exam-hall rules, one position function

This is the boss. No calculator: the position function is a cubic with small whole-number coefficients, the moment t0t_0 is 1, 2 or 3, and every number fits in your head. One function, one long inspection, and every answer feeds the next: name the rule that gives velocity from position, find the position at t0t_0, differentiate for the velocity there, name the rule that gives acceleration, find it, then write the tangent line to the position graph at t0t_0 from the two numbers you already hold and read off where it says the cart would be one second later.

Everything in the chapter rides in here: the power rule term by term with the constant dropped, the derivative as a rate in m/s and m/s², the tangent line as s(t0)+v(t0)(t−t0)s(t_0) + v(t_0)(t - t_0) with the slope a NUMBER, and the line as a prediction that is not the curve. Write each line down as you go; a slip in line two walks all the way to line seven. 5★ under par is the chapter crown.

no calculator in the boss room: the numbers are chosen to fit in your head