SOLUTION: Dear Sir/Madam, I am confronted with the following problem: "A tiger named Montecore has to leap 6 meters horizontally to jump over a small ravine. Imagine the tiger begins his

Algebra ->  Coordinate Systems and Linear Equations  -> Lessons -> SOLUTION: Dear Sir/Madam, I am confronted with the following problem: "A tiger named Montecore has to leap 6 meters horizontally to jump over a small ravine. Imagine the tiger begins his      Log On


   

Question 6650: Dear Sir/Madam,
I am confronted with the following problem:
"A tiger named Montecore has to leap 6 meters horizontally to jump over a small ravine. Imagine the tiger begins his jump at the origin (0,0). The tiger reaches a maximum height of 2 meters above the line that joins the points where he jumps and lands (i.e. the x-axis). Assume Montecore's leap follows a parabolic path. Find the equation of the tiger."
I would assume that the answer is : +y+=+a%28x-3%29%5E2+%2B+2+. 'a' will be negative, as the parabola is reflected across the x-axis, but how do you figure out the value of 'a'?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
-Mike
Answer by ichudov(507) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
great job, both in typing equation as well as with your solution. You need to find a to make sure that y=0 at the origin (x=0).
a%2A%28x-3%29%5E2%2B2+=+0 where x = 0
a%2A%280-3%29%5E2%2B2+=+0
Solved by pluggable solver: EXPLAIN simplification of an expression
Your Result:


YOUR ANSWER


  • This is an equation! Solutions: a=-0.222222222222222.
  • Graphical form: Equation a%2A%280-3%29%5E2%2B2=0 was fully solved.
  • Text form: a*(0-3)^2+2=0 simplifies to 0=0
  • Cartoon (animation) form: simplify_cartoon%28+a%2A%280-3%29%5E2%2B2=0+%29
    For tutors: simplify_cartoon( a*(0-3)^2+2=0 )
  • If you have a website, here's a link to this solution.

DETAILED EXPLANATION

Look at a%2A%28highlight_red%28+0+%29-highlight_red%28+3+%29%29%5E2%2B2=0.
Added fractions or integers together
It becomes a%2A%28highlight_green%28+-3+%29%29%5E2%2B2=0.
Look at a%2Ahighlight_red%28+%28-3%29+%29%5Ehighlight_red%28+2+%29%2B2=0.
Replace constants in factor: highlight_red%28+%28-3%29+%29,highlight_red%28+2+%29 with highlight_green%28+9+%29
It becomes a%2Ahighlight_green%28+9+%29%2B2=0.
Look at highlight_red%28+a%2A9%2B2+%29=0.
Solved linear equation highlight_red%28+a%2A9%2B2=0+%29 equivalent to 9*a+2 =0
It becomes highlight_green%28+0+%29=0.
Result: 0=0
This is an equation! Solutions: a=-0.222222222222222.

Universal Simplifier and Solver


Done!