OK, so... picture a graph.

Um, OK. The x-axis is time, and the y axis is velocity. So the graph of velocity with respect to time would be a straight line, starting from 0,0 and going through the point where x=4 seconds and y=40m/s. The equation of the line would be y=10x. Got me?

The distance traveled would be equal to the area under the line. You could integrate the equation for x=0 to 4 to get the distance traveled - i.e. the integral would be y=5x². From 0 to 4 the answer would be 80m.

The simple, non-integral way would be to say that you have a right triangle of 4 x 40, the area of which is 80.

OK, so... picture a graph

Do I have to? Can't I picture Colin Firth gazing longingly at me?

Isn't the whole point of (some part of ) quantum mechanics that the presence or absence of an obverver is fundamentally important to the nature of an event?

Right, I think that's part of the idea I'm talking about.

The simple, non-integral way would be to say that you have a right triangle of 4 x 40, the area of which is 80

Right. So...your answer that Gud confirmed was wrong? This fits more with your "take the half of the putative distance traveled" trick.

Do I have to? Can't I picture Colin Firth gazing longingly at me?

Only if he has grid lines overlaid upon his face.

Do I have to? Can't I picture Colin Firth gazing longingly at me?

I think that's what he meant. At least, that's what "graph" equals in my head.

I took P-C's post to make me ask: What the hell is an obverver?

Stoopid fingers.

So...your answer that Gud confirmed was wrong? This fits more with your "take the half of the putative distance traveled" trick.

Yes and yes.

ita pointing out that 40 x 4 = 160 made me all, "WTF?"

Note that if acceleration is not constant, the trick doesn't work and you have to integrate.

I took P-C's post to make me ask: What the hell is an obverver?

Now I'm confused.

Read the sentence of mine you quoted again. Closely. (Not the original, it's been edited now, but your quote).

Aaaaah. Hee.

It took. Not I took.

Do I have to? Can't I picture Colin Firth gazing longingly at me?

Only if he has grid lines overlaid upon his face.

That's just mean. When did you get all mean?

Also, Robin, why are you bogarting all the imaginary sweethearts? It isn't enough that Stephen Colbert is your seekrit TV boyfriend, now Colin is gazing longingly at you?

Or is he so full of longing because he's so jealous of Colbert?

Either way, keep your imaginary mitts off him.