document.write( "Question 826452: Okay, I am stuck with Paul's trucking company which hauls oversized loads. The truck travels through a tunnel with a wide opening in the shape of a parabola that is 12 meters wide and and 6 meters high.\r
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document.write( "How do I find a function, T(x), for the shape of the tunnel. I am also supposed to draw it but it would be a huge favor if I get a walk-in through this and that won't be much of a work if I get that far.\r
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document.write( "I appreciate the help in advance, and I look forward to get a reply soon. Thanks :) \n" );
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Algebra.Com's Answer #498084 by ankor@dixie-net.com(22740)![]() ![]() You can put this solution on YOUR website! The truck travels through a tunnel with a wide opening in the shape of a parabola that is 12 meters wide and and 6 meters high. \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "using the form ax^2 + bx + c = y \n" ); document.write( "Let's have the parabola have the axis of symmetry at 0, then c = 6 \n" ); document.write( "and the x intercepts will be -6 and +6 (12 m apart) \n" ); document.write( "write an equation for x = 6, y = 0 and for x = -6, y = 0 \n" ); document.write( "36a + 6b + 6 = 0 \n" ); document.write( "36a - 6b + 6 = 0 \n" ); document.write( "-----------------adding eliminates b, find a \n" ); document.write( "72a + 12 = 0 \n" ); document.write( "72a = -12 \n" ); document.write( "a = -12/72 \n" ); document.write( "a = -.167 \n" ); document.write( "The middle term cancels so we can write the equation \n" ); document.write( "T(x) = -.167x^2 + 6 \n" ); document.write( "y = -.167x^2 + 6, graphically \n" ); document.write( " \n" ); document.write( "note that it is 12m wide and 6 m high \n" ); document.write( ": \n" ); document.write( "You can create a table using x and finding y to determine what the height the \n" ); document.write( "truck can be if you know the width of the truck \n" ); document.write( "For example if the truck were 8 ft wide, (x = +4, -4), then \n" ); document.write( "-.167(4^2) + 6 = 3.3 meter, load height has to be less than 3.3 meters (green line) \n" ); document.write( " |