Name

_____________________________________ Period ____ Date ____________

Extra Practice with Functions

For constant motion, it is possible to describe the motion quantitatively. One way to do this is to create a
function for the variables that are being given. The independent variable, the fixed quantity, is on the x-axis, and
the dependent variable, the changing quantity, on the y-axis.
A general function for the slope of a linear graph is:

y(x) = m x + b
y = the y-axis

m = slope (y/x)

x= the x axis

B = y intercept

For the constant motion of an object in a one-dimensional frame of reference, we use the above
equation, and define it as:

x(t) = Vave (t) + x0

position (y-axis) in terms of time (on x-axis) =[the average velocity (slope)] x (time) + initial position

Directions:
Write a function for the following graphs. For each of the following graphs:
a) Write a list of as many details as possible about the motion
b) Write on the x(t) function
c) Draw a motion diagram.

Example 1

Example 2

0
0

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

Posi%on (m)

-0.5
-1
-1.5
-2
-2.5

Time (s)

Example 3

Posi%on vs Time
20

Posi%on (m)

15
10
5
0
-5

0.5

1.5

-10

2.5

3.5

4.5

Time (s)

Example 4

Posi%on vs Time
20

Posi%on (m)

15
10
5
0
-5
-10

0.5

1.5

2.5

3.5

4.5

Time (s)

Example 5

Posi%on vs Time

0
-0.5 0

1.5

2.5

3.5

4.5

-1
Posi%on (m)

0.5

-1.5
-2
-2.5
-3
-3.5
-4
-4.5

Time (s)



Answers:

Example 1
a) The object is traveling from some distance toward the origin and
passes to origin
b) x(t) = -2x + 15
c) a = 0 a = 0 a = 0
v = -2 v= -2 v= -2 v= -2

Example 2
a) The object stays at the position of -2. From the origin
b) x(t) = 0x +(-2)
c) v = 0

Example 3

a) The object starts at a position of -5m from the origin, passes the
origin and travels to a position of +15m in 4s
b) x(t) = (10/4)x +(-5)
c) a = 0 a = 0 a = 0

v = -2 v= -2 v= -2 v= -2

Example 4

d) The object starts at a position of 15m from the origin, passes the
origin and travels to a position of +5m in 4s
e) x(t) = (-10/4)x +(15)
f) a = 0 a = 0 a = 0

v = 2 v= 2 v= 2 v= 2
5

Example 5
g) The object starts at a position of -4m from the origin, travels to the
origin, 0m, in 4s
h) x(t) = (1)x +(-4)
i) a = 0 a = 0 a = 0

v = 1 v= 1 v= 1 v= 1