Math Problem Statement

The smaller the curvature in the bend of a road, the faster a car can travel. Assume that the maximum speed around a turn is inversely proportional to the square root of the curvature. A car moving on the path y = 1/3 * x^3, where x and y are measured in miles, can safely go 30 miles per hour at (1, 1/3). How fast (in mi/hr) can it go at (9/5, 243/125)?

Solution

The problem states that the maximum speed of a car on a curved road is inversely proportional to the square root of the curvature. The curvature is given by the equation y=13x3y = \frac{1}{3}x^3, and the speed for a certain point on the curve (1,13)(1, \frac{1}{3}) is given as 30 miles per hour. The task is to find the speed at another point (95,243125)\left(\frac{9}{5}, \frac{243}{125}\right).

Step-by-step solution:

  1. Curvature and Proportionality: The speed vv is inversely proportional to the square root of the curvature κ\kappa: v1κv \propto \frac{1}{\sqrt{\kappa}} This can be written as: v=kκv = \frac{k}{\sqrt{\kappa}} where kk is some constant of proportionality.

  2. Curvature of the curve y=13x3y = \frac{1}{3}x^3: The curvature κ\kappa of a function y=f(x)y = f(x) is given by the formula: κ=f(x)(1+(f(x))2)3/2\kappa = \frac{|f''(x)|}{(1 + (f'(x))^2)^{3/2}}

    First, calculate the first and second derivatives of y=13x3y = \frac{1}{3}x^3: f(x)=x2f'(x) = x^2 f(x)=2xf''(x) = 2x

  3. Curvature at x=1x = 1: κ1=2(1)(1+(1)4)3/2=2(1+1)3/2=222=12\kappa_1 = \frac{|2(1)|}{(1 + (1)^4)^{3/2}} = \frac{2}{(1+1)^{3/2}} = \frac{2}{2\sqrt{2}} = \frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}

    Since the car's speed is given as 30 mi/h at x=1x = 1, we can find kk: 30=k12k=301230 = \frac{k}{\sqrt{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}}} \Rightarrow k = 30\sqrt{\frac{1}{\sqrt{2}}}

  4. Find curvature at x=95x = \frac{9}{5}:

    Substituting x=95x = \frac{9}{5} into the curvature formula: f(x)=(95)2=8125f'(x) = \left(\frac{9}{5}\right)^2 = \frac{81}{25} and f(x)=2×95=185f''(x) = 2 \times \frac{9}{5} = \frac{18}{5} Therefore: κ2=185(1+(8125))3/2=185(1+8125)3/2\kappa_2 = \frac{\frac{18}{5}}{\left(1 + \left(\frac{81}{25}\right)\right)^{3/2}} = \frac{\frac{18}{5}}{\left(1 + \frac{81}{25}\right)^{3/2}}
    Simplify: [ \kappa_2 = \frac{\frac{18}{5}}{\left(\frac{106}{25}\right)^{3/2}} = \frac{\frac{18}{5}}{\left(\frac{106^{3/2}}{25^{3/2}}\right)}

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Inverse Proportionality
Curvature

Formulas

v ∝ 1 / sqrt(κ)
κ = |f''(x)| / (1 + (f'(x))^2)^(3/2)

Theorems

Inverse Proportionality

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12