Modelling a sprinter with a parabolic speed graph

Modelling a sprinter with a parabolic speed graph

IP 4
7 marks

A coach models a sprinter's speed in a \(100\) m race by \(v=kt(10-t)\) m/s for \(0\le t\le10\), where \(t\) is the time in seconds and \(k\) is a positive constant. The sprinter finishes at \(t=10\).

  1. Use the fact that the area under the speed–time graph is the distance run to show that \(k=0.6\).[3]
  2. Find the time at which the sprinter has run \(50\) m, and explain the answer using the shape of the graph.[2]
  3. Find the greatest speed in the model, and give two reasons why the model is not realistic for a real sprinter.[2]

Solution:

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Answer:(a) \(k=0.6\) (b) \(t=5\) s, by the symmetry of the graph about \(t=5\) (c) \(15\) m/s; real sprinters peak lower and do not stop at the finish

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