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An electric heater is designed as a parabolic reflector that is \(5^{\prime \prime}\) deep. To prevent accidental burns, the centerline of the heating element, placed at the focus, must be set in \(1.5^{\prime \prime}\) from the base of the reflector. a. What equation could you use to design the reflector? (Hint: Tip the parabolic reflector so it opens upward.) b. How wide would the reflector be at its rim?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The equation of the parabola is \(y = \frac{1}{6}x^2\). The width of the reflector is approximately 10.96 inches.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the given parameters

The depth of the parabolic reflector is given as 5 inches, and the distance from the base to the focus is 1.5 inches.
02

Relate depth and focus with the vertex form of a parabola

Recall that the standard form of a parabola opening upward with vertex at \(h, k\) is \(y = a(x - h)^n + k\). For our problem, we can set the vertex at the origin \(0, 0\) so the equation simply becomes \(y = ax^2\). Since the focus is at \(0, 1.5\) and the vertex is at the origin, the relationship between \(a\) and the focal distance \(d\) is given by \(d = \frac{1}{4a}\). Plugging \(d = 1.5\), we get \(1.5 = \frac{1}{4a}\).
03

Solve for the value a

From the equation \(1.5 = \frac{1}{4a}\), we solve for \(a\) by isolating \(a\). We get \(4a = \frac{1}{1.5} \rightarrow a = \frac{1}{6}\). Thus, the equation of the parabola becomes \(y = \frac{1}{6}x^2\).
04

Determine the width of the reflector

The reflector is 5 inches deep, which means the corresponding \(y\) value at the rim is 5. Substitute \(y = 5\) into \(y = \frac{1}{6}x^2\) to find \(x\). Solving for \(x\), we get \(5 = \frac{1}{6}x^2 \rightarrow x^2 = 30 \rightarrow x = \sqrt{30} \rightarrow x \approx 5.48\). Since the parabolic reflector is symmetric about the y-axis, the total width is \(2 \times 5.48 = 10.96 \text{ inches}\).

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

parabola equation
Parabolas have a unique property: symmetry. This is helpful when you need to determine dimensions and make precise calculations:
    • A parabola is symmetric about its axis of symmetry.
    • The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that passes through the vertex.

      For our parabolic reflector, this means that if \( x \approx 5.48 \) inches to one side, it will also be \( x \approx 5.48 \).

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