Question

Use a variation model to solve for the unknown value. Use as the constant of variation. The stopping distance of a car is directly proportional to the square of the speed of the car. (a) If a car travelling has a stopping distance of , find the stopping distance of a car that is travelling . (b) If it takes for a car to stop, how fast was it travelling before the brakes were applied

Answer 1

Complete question is;

Use a variation model to solve for the unknown value.

The stopping distance of a car is directly proportional to the square of the speed of the car.

a. If a car traveling 50 mph has a stopping distance of 170 ft, find the stopping distance of a car that is traveling 70 mph.

b. If it takes 244.8 ft for a car to stop, how fast was it traveling before the brakes were applied?

Answer:

A) d = 333.2 ft

B) 60 mph

Explanation:

Let the stopping distance be d

Let the speed of the car be v

We are told that the stopping distance is directly proportional to the square of the speed of the car. Thus;

d ∝ v²

Therefore, d = kv²

Where k is constant of variation.

A) Speed is 50 mph and stopping distance of 170 ft.

v = 50 mph

d = 170 ft = 0.032197 miles

Thus,from d = kv², we have;

0.032197 = k(50²)

0.032197 = 2500k

k = 0.032197/2500

k = 0.0000128788

If the car is now travelling at 70 mph, then;

d = 0.0000128788 × 70²

d = 0.06310612 miles

Converting to ft gives;

d = 333.2 ft

B) stopping distance is now 244.8 ft

Converting to miles = 0.046363636 miles

Thus from d = kv², we have;

0.046363636 = 0.0000128788(v²)

v² = 0.046363636/0.0000128788

v² = 3599.99658

v = √3599.99658

v ≈ 60 mph