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View Full Version : rational function helpp needed immedietly !!!!


gamefreak
Nov3-09, 12:54 AM
1. when astraunauts go into space, they feel lighter. this is because weight decreases as a person rises above earth's gravitational pull according to the formula

W(h) = We/(1+h/6400)^2

where We is the person's weight in newtons, at sea level on earth and W(h) is the weight at h km above sea level

Q) at what range of altitudes will this astraunaut have a weight of less than 10 N?


2. Relevant equations

W(h) = We/(1+h/6400)^2

3. The attempt at a solution

i attempted it by trying various methods, it will take too long to type it up here and i already have the answer in the book i tried but i could not get that answer

so please help ! I would really appreciate that . thank you !!
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data



2. Relevant equations



3. The attempt at a solution

n!kofeyn
Nov3-09, 01:00 AM
W(h) is the weight of the person at a height of h above sea level. For this person to weigh less than 10 newtons, W(h) needs to be less than 10. So set W(h)<10 and solve for h.

rock.freak667
Nov3-09, 01:01 AM
Well you basically want to find when W(h)<10


so just solve for h in

\frac{820}{(1+\frac{h}{6400})^2}<10

gamefreak
Nov3-09, 01:26 AM
ok so when i solve that I end up with

82 (h+1)^2 > 0

im lost now?

n!kofeyn
Nov3-09, 01:29 AM
You didn't solve for h correctly. Hint: multiply both sides by (1+h/6400)2 and then take the square root of both sides.