SOLUTION: A parabolic shaped-canal is 8m wide and 2m deep at the center, write a defining equation for the parabolic- shaped canal. Use the equation to find the canal's depth every meter.

Question 1143669: A parabolic shaped-canal is 8m wide and 2m deep at the center, write a defining equation for the parabolic- shaped canal. Use the equation to find the canal's depth every meter.

Answer by josmiceli(19441) (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
You can put the vertex at the point ( 0, -2 ) on the y-axis.
The canal will then go through points ( 4,0 ) and ( -4,0 )
which is maximum width
The general equation is:

------------------------------
( 0,-2 )

---------------
( 4,0 )

(1)
----------------------
(-4,0 )

(2)
----------------------
Add (1) and (2)

-------------------

and
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
(1)
-------------------
The equation is:

-------------------------
Every meter, the depths are:
(-4, 0 )
( -3, y[1] )
( -2, y[2] )
( -1, y[3] )
( 0. y[4] )
( 1, y[3] )
( 2, y[2] )
( 3, y[1] )
( 4, 0 )
----------------
( -3, y[1] )

---------------------
You can continue the process

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