The definite integral of the velocity function of an object gives you the total displacement—how far an object is from a point of origin. However, this is different from distance traveled. Let’s say you were going to the local market, which is about 1 mile from your house. The total ...
The distance traveled by the particle will be the absolute value of the final position of x (xf) minus the initial position of x (xi) or d = |xf - xi|. Or you can use the distance formula, d = √[(x2-x1)2+(y2-y1)2], with y2=0 and y1=0, same difference. With x(t)...
Distance – the total measured path that an object travels. (scalar) Displacement – the measured straight line distance from when the object starts to where it ends. (vector, watch for negatives) Speed – distance traveled divided by total time of travel or rate of change of...