TEACHER NOTES

ISSUES RELATED TO THE PROBLEM

Units play a large role in this problem. For example, the maximum safe acceleration and deceleration is given with mixed time units of mph/sec.

Prerequisites

While curvature is often a topic introduced in vector calculus, this problem can be given once the students are familiarized with the position, velocity, and acceleration functions in differential calculus.

Time allotment - time management

This problem could be completed in less than a single class period or as a homework problem.

Expectations

Future payoffs

This problem provides an introduction to curvature without having to burden students with the decomposition of the acceleration vector.

Extensions

References and Sources