College Algebra, Chapter 8, 8.1, Section 8.1, Problem 56

Suppose that a telescope has $200$-in mirror that is constructed in a parabolic shape that collects light from the stars and focuses it at the prime focus, that is, the focus of the parabola. The mirror is $3.79$-in deep at its center. Determine the distance from the vertex to the focus.



If we let the vertex of the parabola lies on the origin and halfway between $200$-in. Then its equation is $x^2 = 4py$ where the focus is located at $(0, p)$ and endpoints at $(100, 3.79)$ and $(-100, 3.79)$. Hence, the endpoints are the solution of the equation, so..


$
\begin{equation}
\begin{aligned}

x^2 =& 4py
\\
\\
(100)^2 =& 4p(3.79)
\\
\\
p =& 659.6306 \text{-in}

\end{aligned}
\end{equation}
$


It shows that the distance from the vertex to the focus is approximately $660$ inches.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

In what ways might RFID technology be used to serve customers better? What problems might arise? Do you think that the technology might be valuable when implanted in animals or people?

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is a type of wireless technology and basically has three components to it: a tag, a reader, and a computer system. The tag consists of a microchip and radio antenna. The microchip in the tag contains essential information about a product or item. To transmit this information to a reader, the tag uses radio signals. After picking up the signals, the reader delivers the information to a computer system. From the computer system, companies can easily track the kinds of products consumers like to buy. This allows companies to position advertisements, sales, and product placements in stores according to their customer's preferences. Also, using RFID technology increases productivity: it is much easier to use, is more accurate, and less error-prone than traditional bar-coding. Thus, increased productivity leads to greater profits for companies. As for consumers, the benefits of RFID technology are numerous. For example, it minimizes wait...
Read more

Calculus: Early Transcendentals, Chapter 9, 9.3, Section 9.3, Problem 18

This differential equation can be solved by the method of separating variables. Multiply both sides by dt and divide both sides of the equation by L^2 . This will bring all terms depending on t to the right side and all terms depending on L to the left side: (dL)/L^2 = kln(t)dt Now both sides can be integrated. On the left side, we have an integral of a power function: int (dL)/L^2 = int L^(-2) dL = -1L^(-1) = -1/L (The constant of integration can be omitted for now.) On the right side, the integral of ln(t) equals int ln(t)dt = tln(t) - t (This can be verified by taking the derivative using the product rule and the fact that (ln(t))' = 1/t : (tln(t) - t)' = ln(t) + t/t - 1 = ln(t)) So the after the integration the equation becomes -1/L = k(tln(t) - t) + C The constant of integration C is added to the right side here. Since the initial condition is given, L(1) = -1, C can be found now: for t = 1, ln(t) = ln(1) = 0, and -1/(-1) = k(1*0 - 1) + C = -k + C 1 = -k + C, so from here...
Read more

Single Variable Calculus, Chapter 3, 3.1, Section 3.1, Problem 24

a.) Suppose that $\displaystyle G(x) = 4x^2 - x^3$, find $G'(a)$ and use it to find an equation of the tangent lines to the curve $\displaystyle y = 4x^2 - x^3$ at the point $(2,8)$ and $(3, 9)$ Using the definition of the derivative of a function $G$ at a number $a$, denoted by $G'(a)$, is $\qquad \displaystyle \qquad G'(a) = \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{G(a + h) - G(a)}{h}$ We have, $ \begin{equation} \begin{aligned} \qquad G'(a) =& \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{4(a + h)^2 - (a + h)^3 - (4a^2 - a^3)}{h} && \text{Substitute $G(a + h)$ and $G(a)$}\\ \\ \qquad G'(a) =& \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{4(a^2 + 2ah + h^2) - (a^3 + 3a^2 h + 3ah^2 + h^3) - 4a^2 + a^3}{h} && \text{Expand the equation}\\ \\ \qquad G'(a) =& \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{\cancel{4a^2} + 8ah + 4h^2 - \cancel{a^3} - 3a^2h - 3ah^2 - h^3 - \cancel{4a^2} + \cancel{a^3}}{h} && \text{Combine like terms}\\ \\ \qquad G'(a) =& \lim_{h \to 0} \frac{8ah + 4h^2 - 3a^2h - 3ah^2 - h^3}{h} ...
Read more