What is x = f(t) used for in physics? And what does "f" mean here?

Question

In kinematics. What do I use it for? What does that "f" mean here? i know x is the final coordinate and t is final time, but what does f mean?

Answer 1

x = f(t) means x is a function of t. It is standard maths notation.

'f(t)' is just shorthand for a formula with 't' in it.



For example:

x = 7t is a formula for finding x at different times. If x is in metres and t is in seconds then, for example, after 12s, the position is 7x12=84m.

In this case f(t) = 7t



You can have a more complicated formula of course e.g.

x = 22t² + 4t - 7

In this case f(t) = 22t² + 4t - 7



f(t) will be different in different situations. It will be a simple formula for something moving at a steady velocity (my 1st example), but probably very complicated for something like a rocket firing its engines.

Answer 2

Yes, "f" means "function of". What it is saying is that x is time dependent.As time t changes, the value of x changes...

Answer 3

f just means it's a function u newb. jesus