Practice question · Multiple choice
A definite integral of velocity gives displacement, not distance travelled. Why do the two differ when the object reverses direction?
Hints
- Integrate a velocity that is for one second and for the next.
- Compare that with how far the object actually moved.
Show the answer
B. Because the integral adds signed contributions, so reversals subtract
Why
The sign is information, not a defect. Signed accumulation is what makes the integral report net change; distance is a different question requiring .
Practise Integrals as accumulation
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