Hello. I have an issue understanding what this sheet titles "The Tangent and Velocity Problems". When we learned this concept in class, we were given an equation first (in this case y(x) = x^2 - 4 at x = 2). The next step is to "Pick an interval containing 2", which I don't really understand fully what that means or how to do it. From there, you find the average rate of change between two numbers substituting for x (like 2 and 2.1), then shrink that interval and repeat until you get a clear idea as to where the instant rate of change is approximately. In this case, having 2 and 2.1 would give 4.1, having 2 and 2.01 would give 4.01, having 2 and 2.001 would give 4.001, and so on.
The problem I'm having an issue with now that I'm doing homework on my own is with this equation: s = 2 sin(𝜋t) + 4 cos(𝜋t), where t is measured in seconds. I am then given 4 intervals, [1,2], [1,1.1], [1,1.01], and [1,1.001]. I need to find the average rate of change for these intervals, and then estimate the instantaneous velocity of the particle when t=1.
All answers are expected in cm/s, as well as being rounded to two decimal places. I believe I am particularly having issues picking intervals but the intervals are given so it's more than that obviously. So for the first interval, we have [1,2]. Plugging 2 into the equation first since it's the second value gives me 4.194, and plugging in 1 gives me 4.1035. Subtracting these gives me 0.0912. Then we need the bottom part of the rate of change formula, so 2-1, which is 1. Meaning my answer should be 0.09 cm/s when rounded, but the computer system says that I am incorrect. Where is my mistake?