NAME COLLEGE ALGEBRA LAB All work must be shown for credit T
Solution
using base as x axis , bisecting(dividing into 2 equal parts) line as y axis
parabolas has zeroes at x =-40 ,x=40
general form is y=k(x+40)(x-40)
1)
for top parabola:
yt(0)=16+16
yt(0)=32
=>k(0+40)(0-40)=32
=>k=-0.02
so equation of top parabola is yt(x)=-0.02(x+40)(x-40)
so equation of top parabola is yt(x)=-0.02(x2-1600)
2)
for bottom parabola:
yb(0)=16
=>k(0+40)(0-40)=16
=>k=-0.01
so equation of bottom parabola is yb(x)=-0.01(x+40)(x-40)
so equation of bottom parabola is yb(x)=-0.01(x2-1600)
3)
sum of lengths of vertical strings =[yt(-30)+yt(-20)+yt(-10)+yt(0)+yt(10)+yt(20)+yt(30)]-[yb(-30)+yb(-20)+yb(-10)+yb(0)+yb(10)+yb(20)+yb(30)]
sum of lengths of vertical strings =84 feet
