AUSTRALIAN SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICAL SCHOOL

Calculus P-cubed
Folio Task: Differential Calculus P-cubed
By Jasmin Malhotra
LSG18 Kay Gillett
Stage 2 Folio
Marking Teacher: Jules Potiki
Due: 8 May 2016
SACE Registration: 294924 R

Introduction
Calculus is the mathematical study of how things change. The development of
calculus is credited to Leibniz and Newton. It is a branch of mathematics,
developed from algebra and geometry (Encyclopedia.kids.net.au, 2016). It

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focuses on rates of change (within functions), such as displacement, velocity,
acceleration, curves and slopes.
There are 2 main branches of calculus; Differential calculus and Integral calculus.
One of the applications concerned with differential calculus is finding the
instantaneous rate of change (derivative) of a functions value, with respect to
the changes within a functions argument (Bourne, 2016) .Integral Calculus is the
main study of finding the integral of a function. It is defined as the limit of a sum
of terms which correspond to the areas beneath the graph of a function.
Integration allows the area beneath a curve and the surface area and volume of
solids such as spheres and cones to be calculated (Bourne, 2016)
Part 1 will focus on the movement of a rocket car and finding the maximum
velocity the car reaches. Part 2 will look at the travel time and efficiency aspect
by minimising the costs and limiting the speed a truck is travelling at. These
ideas also depend on external factors such as the freight carried by the truck and
the drops in fuel efficiency.

Part 1
Mathematics is frequently used by engineers and companies to critically analyse
their vehicles performance and maximise efficiency. Various mathematical
concepts will be utilised to investigate a range of transport contexts, to analyse
certain parameters of a vehicle performance such as range, efficiency and
optimal conditions.
A rocket cars displacement is modelled by the following function:

s ( t )=4 t +16 t +12 t

Where

s (t)

is in metres and

is in seconds. Using first principles, find

expressions for the cars velocity and acceleration. Check your answer using
differentiation, and draw sign diagrams for each of them.
3
2
3
lim 4 ( t +h ) +16 ( t+ h ) +12 ( t +h ) (4 t +16 t+ 12t)
hh 0
h
v ( t )=

3
3
2
3
2
2
3
2
lim 4 ( t +3 t h+3 t h h ) + 16 ( t +2 th+ h ) ( 12 t+12 h ) (4 t +16 t +12 t )
hh 0
h
v ( t )=

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lim 4 t 312 t 2 h12t h2+ 4 h3+ 16 t 2 +32 th+16 h 2+12 t+12 h+ 4 t 316 t 212t
hh 0
h
v ( t )=
lim 12t 2 h12 t h2 + 4 h3 +32 th+16 h2 +12 h
hh 0
h
v ( t )=
2
2
lim h(12 t 12th+4 h + 32t +16 h+12)
hh 0
h
v ( t )=

V ( t )=12t 2 +32t +12

This function is checked using the differentiation power rule:
3

s ( t )=4 t +16 t +12

2

V ( t )=12 t +32 t+12

To produce the sign diagram, roots of the function must be determined. As this
function is a quadratic, the quadratic formula is used to find its roots to show at
which point the car is increasing and decreasing in velocity.
2

V ( t )=12 t +32 t+12

As x=

b b 24 ac
2a
Where:
a= -12
b= 32

+
1600
24
32
x=

c=12

+
3 2 4 (12 ) (12)
2(12)
32
x=
2

+
40 1
= 3
24 3
32
x=

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To find out whether the velocity is increasing or decreasing below and above
those numbers, a larger and smaller number than those must be substituted into
the velocity function as time.

1 1
As <
<1<3<5
2 3

Plug in

1
2

( )

( ) ( )

1
1
1
=12
+32
+ 12
2
2
2

( 12 )=7

Plug in 1

V (1 )=12 ( 1 )2 +32 ( 1 ) +12

V (1 )=32
Plug in 5

V (5 )=128

Figure 1: Velocity sign diagram for the Rocket car

Similarly, First Principles is used again to find the Acceleration function. The
Rocket Cars Velocity is modelled by the following function:

V ( t )=12 t 2 +32 t+12

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2
2
lim 12 ( t +h ) +32 ( t+h )+12(12 t +32 t+12)
hh 0
h
A ( t )=

2
2
2
lim 12 ( t +2 th+h ) + (32 t + 32h+ 12 )(12 t +32 t +12)
hh 0
h
A ( t )=

lim 12t 224 th12 h2 +32 t+32 h+12+12 t 232t12

hh 0
h
A ( t )=
lim 24 th12 h2+ 32h
hh 0
h
A ( t ) =
A ( t )=24 t +32
Check answer using the Power Rule
2
V ( t )=12 t +32 t +12

A ( t ) =24 t+32
To produce the sign diagram, the point at which zero acceleration occurs must be
determined.

0=24 t+ 32

32=24 t
34
=t=1.3
24
As3<1.3< 3
These critical values were plugged into the Acceleration function and the
following sign diagram was made:

Figure 2: Acceleration sign diagram for the

Rocket car

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To find the cars maximum velocity in kilometres per hour, the acceleration
function is utilised. Because the rate of change of velocity is equal to the
acceleration, the acceleration function must be set to 0 and t must be solved for.
This has already been done in the previous step, therefore the value of

4
3

can

be substituted into the velocity function as t.

4
4 2
4
=12
+32
+12
3
3
3

()

() ()

( 43 )=12( 169 )+ 1283 + 12

V

( 43 )= 643 + 1283 +12

( 43 )= 1003 =33.3 m s

33.3

1
3600

=120 kmh
1000
1

For what interval(s) is the cars velocity increasing?

Given the velocity sign diagram it can be seen that the cars velocity is
increasing when

0 t 3

What is the sign of the rate of change for the first three seconds of
movement? Describe the motion at t=4 seconds.
For the first 3 seconds of the cars movement, the rate of change is increasing. By
substituting 4 for the time in all 3 functions (displacement, velocity and
acceleration), the motion at that time can be described.
3

S ( 4 )=4 ( 4 ) +16 ( 4 ) +12 ( 4 )=48 metres

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V ( 4 )=12 ( 4 )2 +32 ( 4 )+12=52 m s 1

A ( t ) =24 ( 4 )+ 32=64 m s2
Motion: At 4 seconds, the car has travelled 48m to the right, at a decreasing
velocity of 52ms, and is increasing in speed with an acceleration of 64ms to
the left.
At what point does the car turn around?
The car turns around at 3 seconds into its movement because that is the point
where it changes from an increasing to a decreasing velocity.

S ( 3 )=4 (3 )3+16 ( 3 )2+12 ( 3 )=73 metres

The motion diagram for the car can be seen below in figure 3:

Figure 3: Motion diagram for the Rocket car

Part 2
A truck travelling interstate, driving at a constant speed of 110km/h, gets 7km/L
efficiency and loses 0.1km/L in fuel efficiency for each km/h increase in speed.
Costs include diesel ($1.35/L), truck drivers wage ($30/hour), and truck
maintenance and repairs ($12/hour). This truck is mainly used for carrying freight
between Adelaide and Sydney (1400km).
Show that the cost for the Adelaide Sydney trip is $804.55
Fuel cost + Maintenance and repairs + Truck drivers wage = Total cost

fuel cost=

distance
fuel cost per litre
efficiency

1.35=$ 270
( 1400
7 )

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Maintenancerepairs=

distance
maintenancerepair cost per hour
speed

12=$ 152.73
( 1400
110 )

Truck drivers wage=wage

distance
speed

30 12.73=$ 381.82
total cost=270+152.73+381.82=$ 804.55

Show that the model can be represented as:

C=

1400( 7562.85 x)
x (180.1 x )

It is known that the cost is equal to the fuel + maintenance + wage.

fuel=1.35

1400
70.1 ( x110 )

Maintenance=12

Wage=30

C=1.35

C=1.35

( 1400
x )

( 1400
x )

1400
1400
1400
+12
+ 30
x
x
70.1 ( x110 )

) ( ) ( )

1400
1400
+42
x
70.1 ( x110 )

) (

C=

C=

1890
58800
+
x
70.1 ( x110 )

1890
58800
+
70.1 x+ 11
x

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C=

C=

1890
58800
+
180.1 x
x

1890 x +58800 (180.1 x )

x ( 180.1 x )

C=

3990 x+ 1058400
x ( 180.1 x )

C=

C=

10584003990 x
x (180.1 x )

1400( 7562.85 x)
x (180.1 x )

Using differentiation, show that the optimum speed for the truck to
minimise operating costs is approximately 115km/h.

C=

1400( 7562.85 x)
x (180.1 x )

To differentiate this equation, the quotient rule can be used:

2
dc ( 18 x0.1 x ) (3990 )( 10584003990 ) (180.2 x )
=
2
dx
( 18 x 0.1 x 2 )

Equate to 0:

0=( 18 x 0.1 x 2 ) (3990 )( 10584003990 )( 180.2 x )

0=71820 x=399 x 219051200+211680 x+ 71820 x798 x 2
0=211680 x399 x2 19051200
Given than this is a quadratic, the PlySmit2 app was used to find the optimum
speed:
From GFX
x = 415.66

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x = 114.87
As x is smaller than x, 114.87km/h is the optimum speed for the truck to
minimise its operating costs.
Explain what would happen if the truck were able maintain a constant
speed of over 250km/h?
If the speed were to increase to 250km/h (when it passes its optimum speed),
the trucks mileage would decrease. Therefore if the speed were to increase,
essentially fuel and money is being wasted.
Is it reasonable to assume a constant speed for such a trip?
It is not reasonable to assume a constant speed for such a trip as many factors
would affect how fast this driver must travel. Travelling on busy roads would
have a lot of traffic. Factors inclue traffic lights to give way to ongoing traffic. If
the weather is rainy, drivers on the road are extra cautious whilst driving.
Roadwords could also be a possible factor and lane changes could occur. Also
such a long trip requires rest and bathroom breaks in between hours of driving
which would affect the time of the trip.
The factor that affects the reasonableness of the model the most is when speed
increases throughout the trip, the losses in fuel efficiency will change.
Suppose that, for every extra freight container the truck carries, the
fuel efficiency drops by 0.05km/L. Make a conjecture about what will
happen to the optimum travelling speed as the load of the trucks
freight increases.
Given at the beginning of Part 2, it is known that the cost is equal to the fuel plus
the maintenance plus the wage of the driver where:

fuel=1.35

( 70.11400
( x110 ) )

Maintenance=12

Wage=30

C=1.35

( 1400
x )

( 1400
x )

1400
1400
+ 12 (
+ 30 (
)
( 70.051400
)
x
x )
n ( x110 )

where n=the number of extra container added the freight

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C=1.35

C=

C=

C=

1400
+ 42 (
( 70.051400
)
x )
n ( x110 )

1890
58800
+
x
( 70.05 n ) 0.1(x110)

1890 x +58800(70.05 n0.1 ( x110 ))

x (70.05n0.1 ( x110 ) )

1890 x +4116002940 n5880 x +646800

x(70.05 n0.1 x+11)
C=

1890 x +10584002940 n5880 x

x (180.1 x 0.05 n)

C=

1400 ( 1.35 x+7562.1 n4.2 x )

x ( 180.1 x 0.05 n )

C=

1400( 7562.85 x2.1 n)

x (180.1 x0.05 n)

This final formula can now be used to find the speed of the truck when certain
amount of extra freight container the truck is carrying (n). The function must be
equated to 0, then the speed (x) can be solved for given n. For example when 1
extra freight container is added to the truck, n=1:
The found speed was 264.53km/hr
Therefore if 1 extra freight container was added, the optimum travelling speed of
the truck (115km/hr) was increased.
If n was changed to 5 and put into the function:
The mathematical relationship between freight size and speed for which the ost
is a minimum can be seen below.

C=

1400( 7562.85 x2.1 n)

x (180.1 x0.05 n)

The conjecture made was: As the freight load increased, fuel efficiency
decreases, hence the cost increases. This supports the conjecture as when it was
practised, it was true for when n=1.

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Part 3
Introduction
Part 3 focuses on the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix. The winner of this
race was decided by the driver who completes 78 laps fi rst. The
winner of the 2015 race, Nico Rosberg completed the race within
a time limit of 1hr/31min/54.067s. Rosberg and his team were
seeking to critically analyse his performance in the 2015 race.

Method
The function below was provided to aid in the analysis of Rosbergs performance:

d ( t )=

300
3=km/s
1+99 e3.6t

d ( t )=

300000
3=m/s
1+99 e3.6t

This was then graphed for distance (m) against time (s) to show the velocity that
is recommended as most efficient for this type of race.

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Figure 4: Graph of the provided distance function showing the most efficient
speed

The y-axis on figure 4 above represents the distance which was earlier converted
from km to m. The x-axis on the graph represents the time in seconds. As it can
be seen by the dashed rectangular shape, the slope is extremely steep. This
represents the rate (or speed). The steeper the slope, the faster the distance is
changing with respect to time.
Given that the inflection point occurs just before the slope becomes quite steep,
this is the point where it changes from a decreasing speed to an increasing
speed. So Rosberg begins the race very slowly and speeds up to a maximum and
keeps that speed a constant as seen from the graph.

Discussion
By looking at figure 4, it can be seen that the function provided is definitely not
realistic. If the goal of the race is to win, it is definitely not recommended to start
the race as slow Nico Rosberg did. Then he sped up to a maximum extremely
quickly. Finally his maximum speed was a constant through the rest of the course
which is not common. As seen in figure 5 below, the circuit involves quite a lot of
turns and manoeuvres.

Figure 5: Monaco Grand Prix 2015 Circuit (Circuit De Monaco, 2016)

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To be
able to complete
turns and
to be able
track, the
must slow
some point
avoid
off
even

those
manoeuvres as precise as possible and
to stay on the
drivers
down at
to
going
track or
avoid possible

collisions.

Conclusion
Nico Rosberg superbly completed the 2015 Monaco Grand Prix in 1:49:18.420.
However, the function provided did not succeed in keeping Rosbergs victory a
realistic win. Factors such as the Rosbergs speed were not realistic for the type
of track being raced along.

References
Encyclopedia.kids.net.au. (2016). Kids.Net.Au - Encyclopedia > Calculus. [online]
Available at: http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/ca/Calculus [Accessed 3 May
2016].
Bourne, M. (2016). Introduction to Calculus. [online] Intmath.com. Available at:
http://www.intmath.com/calculus/calculus-intro.php [Accessed 3 May 2016].
(Crash.net, 2015)
Crash.net. (2015). Monaco Grand Prix Race results | F1 Results. [online]
Available at: http://www.crash.net/f1/results/219193/1/monaco-grand-prix-raceresults.html [Accessed 5 May 2016].
Circuit De Monaco. (2016). [image] Available at:
https://www.bookf1.com/customer-downloads/media-circuit-diagram-10694.gif
[Accessed 8 May 2016].