document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=1170419>Question 1170419</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> A large pillar has a cross section in the shape of hyperbola. The curves can be modeled by the equation  x^2/25  -  y^2/100 =1    <BR>\n" );
document.write( "The pillar is 225 meters all\r<BR>\n" );
document.write( "\n" );
document.write( "a. Find the width at the narrowest point in the middle<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b. Find the width of the top of the pillar </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #795325 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=htmentor><B>htmentor(1343)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-12.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=htmentor><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/cgi-bin/show-face.mpl?user=htmentor><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=795325\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> a. The narrowest point occurs when the hyperbola crosses the x-axis,<BR>\n" );
document.write( "i.e. y= 0. Setting y=0, we have x^2 = 25 -> x = +-5.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "Thus the width = 10<BR>\n" );
document.write( "b. Set y = 225 and solve for x:<BR>\n" );
document.write( "x^2/25 = 1 + 225^2/100 -> x = +-112.61 -> width = 225.22 </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</TD></TR></TABLE>\n" );