I believe I may have it.
-I substituted z=x^2+y^2 into the eq. for the sphere
yielding z+(z-a)^2-16=0
-then used the quadratic formula to solve for z, with z^2-(2a+1)z+(a^2-16)=0
assuming that a is a constant.
-Now I have replaced the enormous expression for z into z+(z-a)^2-16=0
and I have an...
Right I don't assume that the sphere will stop when the diameters are equal. I understand that it should happen before that. But, are you saying that the method of setting the equation of the sphere and paraboloid equal to each other and then trying to solve for the variable "a" incorrect?
I...
Homework Statement
Hi, I am trying to solve the following problem, and seem to just be going in circles.
A sphere of radius=4 is "dropped" into a paraboloid with equation z=(x^2)+(y^2).
Find the distance "a" from the origin to the center of the sphere at the point where it will
"get stuck" or...