Calculus 2 Page 1 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
Topic: Distance: Application of Definite Integral
WELCOME MATHEMATICS MAJOR STUDENTS !!!
I. INTRODUCTION:
This module is especially designed for you, dear mathematics majors, so that you will have a
clear understanding of the application of definite integral of given functions by the method of integration. This
module also aims to guide you think critically and communicate effectively with your peers. Specific objectives
for each activity are stated to serve as your guide.
As a mathematics major student, it is expected that you have gained competence in
getting the definite integral of functions, together with the region bounded by these functions.
As you go along this module, your computational and problem solving skills shall be
developed, including your accuracy in getting the value of the definite integral of a given function.
II. OBJECTIVES:
At the end of this module, you should be able to:
1. calculate the distance traveled by an object at a given time by integrating with respect to
the independent variable.
2. apply the basic principles of definite integral in getting the distance.
Before you proceed to the main lesson, test yourself in this activity.
Try to recall this concept which you will need in this module:
III. PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES:
Calculus 2 Page 2 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
Activity 1: Answer the following. Follow directions:
Given this problem:
The Lazy River has a current of 2 miles per hour. A motorboat can travel 15 miles down the rive
in the same amount of time it takes to travel 9 miles up the river.
1. Fill in the chart with as much information as you can. Distance Rate Time
In this case,
Down 15 x+2
a. the speed of the boat down the river is x + 2
because the river is making the boat go faster.
Up 9 x-2
b. the speed of the boat up the river is x – 2 because
the river is slowing the boat down.
2. What is your equation? Total
3. What is the speed of the boat in still water?
How many correct answers did you get?
GREAT!!!
You may now proceed to the main lesson.
IV. LESSON PROPER
LET’S BEGIN!
Lesson 1.
Let us recall that the first application of the basic principles in the use of the Fundamental
Theorem of Calculus that we’ve discussed is areas between curves.
The second application is our discussion today, that is, distance traveled by a body moving
with a velocity v = f (t ). Now, let us simplify our discussion by considering only f (t ) that is positive, and
continuous for a ≤ t ≤ b .
This means that the body moves only in one direction and does no backing up.
There are two ways in which we can calculate the distance traveled by the body between t = a and
t = b. In this section, we shall extend the application of the definite integral to calculate the distance
traveled by a body moving with a velocity of v = f (t ).
Let us consider the first set of examples:
Calculus 2 Page 3 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
Example 1. Consider this problem.
A particle moves in a straight line with a velocity v(t) = (5 – t ) meters per second.
a. What is the distance traveled by the particle at the end of 5 seconds?
Solution:
So, we want to integrate from 0 to 5. Hence,
5
d = ∫0 𝑓 (𝑥 ) dx. Substituting,
5
d = ∫0 (5 − 𝑡) dt. Getting the integral, and substituting,
𝑡2 52
d = [ 5t - ]|50 = 5(5) − = 25 – 12.5 = 12.5 meters.
2 2
b. Explain the distance traveled by the particle at the end of 10 seconds.
Example 2. Let’s consider this problem:
The function v(t) represents the velocity of a moving body as a function of the time t in
seconds. Sketch the graph, then determine the time interval in which the velocity is
a. positive,
b. negative.
2
c. Then, find the total distance in the given interval, V(t) = t – t – 2 ,
d. and the time interval 0≤ t ≤ 3.
Solution: Factoring will give the x-intercepts:
2
t – t – 2 = (t - 2)(t + 1) , so t = 2, & t = - 1 . The path is
a parabola with vertex at ( ½, - 2¼ ), and opening
upward. Notice from the graph that the function is
negative from 0 to 2, below the xaxis, and positive
from 2 to 3. So, for negative interval:
𝟐 𝒕𝟑 𝒕𝟐 𝟐
v( t ) = ∫𝟎 𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕 − 𝟐 = 𝟑
− 𝟐
− 𝟐𝒕 │ 𝟎
10
V Evaluating gives − sec .
3
The ( - ) means the direction is to the left.
𝟑 𝒕𝟑 𝒕𝟐 𝟑
For the positive direction: v( t ) = ∫𝟐 𝒕𝟐 − 𝒕 − 𝟐 = − − 𝟐𝒕 │ 𝟐
𝟑 𝟐
𝟏𝟏
Substituting, and simplifying gives .
𝟔
𝟏𝟏 𝟏𝟎 𝟑𝟏 𝟏
So, the total distance is + = or 5𝟔 units.
𝟔 𝟑 𝟔
Calculus 2 Page 4 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
Thus, to get the distance we have to consider the interval of time for negative distance,
the part where the particle is moving to the left or downward, then we add.
Note that if the particle is moving in a straight line the path is always positive, unless
the particle does backing up.
Activity 1. Follow the steps used in example 1 and example 2 to solve the following:
1. A particle is moving in a straight line with a velocity v(t) = √𝟑𝒕 − 𝟏 meters
per second, where time t is in seconds. At t = 2, the particle’s distance from its
starting point was 6 meters in one direction, positive direction.
a. Get the integral.
b. Set the definite integral.
c. What is the particle’s position at the end of 7 seconds?
d. Explain.
2. A particle moves in a straight line with velocity v(t) = 2t + 1 m/sec, where t time is
in sec. With the time interval 0 ≤ t ≤ 2,
a. find the distance traveled by the particle.
b. Draw the figure
Based on our first set of activities, what did you notice about it?
___________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS!
You may now proceed to the next discussion.
Lesson 2. Distance, Velocity, and Acceleration
Recall that the integral of the velocity function gives the net distance traveled, that is,
the displacement. If you want to know the total distance traveled, you must find out where the velocity
function crosses the t-axis, integrate separately over the time intervals when v(t) is positive and
when v(t) is negative, and add up the absolute values of the different integrals.
Calculus 2 Page 5 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
Example 3. if an object is thrown straight upward at 19.6 m/sec, its velocity function is
v(t) = −9.8 t + 19.6, using g = 9.8 m/sec2 for the force of gravity. This is a straight line
which is positive for t < 2 and negative for t > 2. The net distance traveled in the
first 4 seconds is thus,
𝟒
∫𝟎 ( −𝟗. 𝟖 𝒕 + 𝟏𝟗. 𝟔 )𝒅𝒕 = 𝟎, while the total distance
traveled in the first 4 seconds is
𝟐 𝟒
∫𝟎 ( −𝟗. 𝟖 𝒕 + 𝟏𝟗. 𝟔 )𝒅𝒕 + │ ∫𝟐 ( −𝟗. 𝟖 𝒕 + 𝟏𝟗. 𝟔 )𝒅𝒕 │ =
19.6 + │ − 19.6 │ = 39.2 meters, that is, 19.6 meters upward
and 19.6 meters downward.
Activity 2. Solve the following:
For each velocity function, find both the net distance and the total distance traveled
during the indicated time interval (graph v(t) to determine when it's positive and when it is
negative.
1. Velocity is −9.8 t + 49, 0 ≤ t ≤ 10.
2. Velocity is 3( t – 3 )( t – 1 ), 0 ≤ t ≤ 5.
We had just finished the discussion on getting the area between the
curves of given functions by process of integration. Let’s move on to the
next higher level of activity/ies or exercise/s that demonstrate your potential
skills/knowledge of what you have learned.
Calculus 2 Page 6 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
V. ANALYSIS, APPLICATION AND EXPLORATION
Name ____________________________ Year & Section__________________
Direction/Instruction:
I. Activity 1: Solve the following:
1. The velocity of an object is given by the equation v(t) = √𝟒 + 𝒕, where
the velocity v is measured in m/s, the time t is measured in seconds.
Find the distance traveled by the object for the first five seconds.
2. A particle moves along a straight line in the positive direction of the x-
axis with a velocity given by the equation v = 2 √𝒙 ( m/sec). Assuming
that x ( t = 0 ) = 0, find the time t the particle takes to cover the first
100 meters of the path.
II. Activity 2.
1. Summarize the steps on how to solve for the distance / total distance
traveled by an object for a specified units of time.
2. Using the Fundamental Theorem of the Calculus, how do you solve for
𝒕
a. ∫𝒕 𝟐 𝒂(𝒕)𝒅𝒕 ?
𝟏
b. the difference of the position of the object at t1 and t2 ,
𝒕
given that ∫𝒕 𝟐 𝒗(𝒕)𝒅𝒕 .
𝟏
Calculus 2 Page 7 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
Finally, let us summarize the lesson we had discussed today.
VI. GENERALIZATION
Name ____________________________ Year & Section__________________
Direction/Instruction:
Activity 1. Let us recall one example .
A particle moves in a straight line with a velocity v(t) = (5 – t ) meters per second.
a. What is the distance traveled by the particle at the end of 5 seconds?
Solution: So, we want to integrate from 0 to 5. Hence,
5
d = ∫0 𝑓 (𝑥 ) dx. Substituting,
5
d = ∫0 (5 − 𝑡) dt. Getting the integral, and substituting,
𝑡2 𝟓𝟐
d = [5t - ]|50 = 5(5) − = 25 – 12.5 = 12.5 meters.
2 𝟐
Activity: (10 points)
Using example number 1 as your guide, summarize the steps on how to get the distance
traveled by a particle moving in a straight line with a given velocity and at a specific time.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6. What should be the unit of the final answer. Explain.
Calculus 2 Page 8 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
KUDOS!
You have come to the end of Module 9.
OOPS! Don’t forget that you have still an assignment to
do.
VII. ASSIGNMENT
Name:____________________________Year & Section: __________________
Direction/Instruction:
Answer the following: 10 points
Activity 1. Solve:
A ball thrown vertically travels double the distance in the first second than in the
second. If we let v(t) = v0 – gt, where g is acceleration due to gravity, and
g = 9.8 m/sec2,
a. set the integral notation.
b. integrate
c. what is the distance traveled during the first second?
d.what is the maximum height achieved by the ball?
Activity 2.
1. List the different topics we’ve discussed in this module.
2. Of the different topics, which do you appreciate most?
3. What topic did you find hard? What do you want to do?
Calculus 2 Page 9 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
After your long journey of reading and accomplishing
the module, let us now challenge your mind by answering the
evaluation part of this module.
VIII. EVALUATION
Name:____________________________________Year & Section: ______
Direction/Instruction: 15 points .
Multiple Choice. Choose the best answer:
1. A particle moves in a straight line with velocity v (t) = (5 – t) meters per second,
Where t is in seconds. What is the distance traveled at the end of 5 seconds?
A. 12.5 m
B. 12 m
C. 10 m
D. 5 m
ANSWER: ______
2. Find the distance traveled by a moving particle with a velocity of v(t) = 2t + 1, time in
t seconds at the end of 2 seconds.
A. 4 units
B. 2 units
C. 6 units
D. 8 units
ANSWER:______
3. The function v = f(t) represents the velocity v ( ft/sec) of a moving body as a function of
the time t ( sec). If v (t) = / t – 1 /, find the distance traveled by the body between 0 ≤ t ≤ 2.
A. 4 ft
B. 3 ft
C. 2 ft
D. 1 ft
ANSWER:______
Calculus 2 Page 10 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
4. If a particle moves with a velocity v (t) = 𝟑√𝒕 meters per second, where t is in seconds,
what is the distance traveled at the interval 1 ≤ t ≤ 4 ?
A. 12 m
B. 14 m
C. 15 m
D. 16 m
ANSWER:______
5. The velocity v = f(t) of a moving body is v(t) = t 2 – t – 2 ft per second. At the interval of
time 0 ≤ t ≤ 3, What is the distance traveled?
A. 5 1/6 m
B. 4 ½ m
C. 5 m
D. 4 m
ANSWER:______
6. What geometric figure represents the path of the moving body in number 5, that is
v(t) = t2 – t – 2 ?
A. straight line
B. parabolic
C. cubic
D. vertical line
ANSWER:______
7. The velocity of a particle along the x-axis is v(t) = t2 + t. At t = 1, its position is at 1.
What is the position of the particle s( t ) at any time ?
𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
A. s( t ) = 𝟑 𝒕𝟑 + 𝟐 𝒕𝟐 +𝟔
𝟏 𝟏 𝟓
B. s(t) = 𝟑 𝒕𝟑 + 𝟐 𝒕𝟐 + 𝟔
C. s(t) = 𝒕𝟑 + 𝒕𝟐 − 𝟏
𝟏 𝟏
D. s(t) = 𝟑 𝒕𝟑 + 𝟐
ANSWER:______
8. The function v = f(t) represents the velocity v ( ft/sec) of a moving body as a function of
the time t ( sec). If v(t) = t – 8/t2 , find the distance traveled by the body between 1 ≤ t ≤ 3.
A. 5 1/6 m
B. 4 ½ m
C. 2 ½ m
D. 3 ⅔ m
ANSWER:______
Calculus 2 Page 11 of 11
Application of Definite Integral
𝟖
9. The function v(t) = t ─ is negative between 1 ≤ t ≤ 2. What is the distance
𝒕𝟐
traveled by the body between this time interval?
A. 5 1/6 m
B. 4 ½ m
C. 2 ½ m
D. 3 ⅔ m
ANSWER:______
10. A particle moves in a straight line with a velocity v(t) = ─t 2 + 8 meters per
second, where t is in seconds. At t = 2 , the particle’s distance from the starting point was
5 m. What is the total distance the particle has traveled at the interval 2 ≤ t ≤ 6?
A. v(6) v(2)
B. v’( 6 )
𝟔
C. ∫𝟐 ⌊ 𝒗(𝒕) ⌋𝒅𝒕
𝟔
D. ∫𝟐 𝒗(𝒕)𝒅𝒕
ANSWER:______
CONGRATULATIONS on reaching the end of this module!
You may now proceed to the next module.
Don’t forget to submit all the exercises, activities and portfolio
on ___________________.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Well Done!!!
