document.write( "Question 382728: Please help me with this: A bridge is to be built in the shape of a parabolic arch and is to have a span of 100 feet. The height of the arch at a distance of 40 ft from the center is to be 10 ft. Find the height of the arch at its center. \n" ); document.write( "
Algebra.Com's Answer #271377 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)\"\" \"About 
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A bridge is to be built in the shape of a parabolic arch and is to have a span of 100 feet.
\n" ); document.write( " The height of the arch at a distance of 40 ft from the center is to be 10 ft.
\n" ); document.write( " Find the height of the arch at its center.
\n" ); document.write( ";
\n" ); document.write( "Find the equation using the form ax^2 + bx = y
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "From the information given, we can find two x,y coordinates
\n" ); document.write( "x = the width of the bridge, y = height of the bridge at x
\n" ); document.write( "x=100, y=0
\n" ); document.write( "and it says,\"height of the arch at a distance of 40 ft from the center is to be 10 ft\"
\n" ); document.write( "The center of the bridge = 50 ft, 40 ft to left of center: x=10
\n" ); document.write( "x=10, y = 10
\n" ); document.write( "and
\n" ); document.write( "x=100, y=0
\n" ); document.write( "100^2a + 100b = 0
\n" ); document.write( "10000a + 100b = 0
\n" ); document.write( "and
\n" ); document.write( "x=10, y=10
\n" ); document.write( "10^2a + 10b = 10
\n" ); document.write( "100a + 10b = 10
\n" ); document.write( "Multiply the above equation by 10 subtract from the 1st equation
\n" ); document.write( "10000a + 100b = 0
\n" ); document.write( "1000a + 100b = 100
\n" ); document.write( "-----------------------subtraction eliminates b, find a
\n" ); document.write( "9000a = -100
\n" ); document.write( "a = \"%28-100%29%2F9000\"
\n" ); document.write( "a = -.011
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "Find b using 100a + 10b = 10
\n" ); document.write( "100(-.011) + 10b = 10
\n" ); document.write( "-1.11 + 10b = 10
\n" ); document.write( "10b = 10 + 1.11
\n" ); document.write( "b = \"11.11%2F10\"
\n" ); document.write( "b = 1.111
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "The equation: y = -.011x^2 + 1.11x, graph would look like this
\n" ); document.write( "\"+graph%28+300%2C+200%2C+-20%2C+130%2C+-10%2C+35%2C+-.011x%5E2%2B1.11x%29+\"
\n" ); document.write( "You can see that 40' either side of the center (50') the arch is 10' high
\n" ); document.write( ":
\n" ); document.write( "What is the height at the center? Substitute 50' for x in the equation, find y
\n" ); document.write( "y = -.011(50^2) + 1.11(50)
\n" ); document.write( "y = -27.5 + 55.5
\n" ); document.write( "y = 28 ft, which is about right on the graph \r
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