A line passes through the points (2, –2) and (–6, 2). The point (a, –4) is also on the line. What is the value of a?
2 answers:
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Step-by-step explanation:
The upstream speed is S / t₁, and the downstream speed is S / t₂.
If we say f is the speed of the fish in calm water, and r is the speed of the river, then:
f − r = S / t₁
f + r = S / t₂
If we say T is the time it takes to cross the river, then the speed perpendicular to the river is ℓ/T, the speed parallel to the river is r, and the overall speed is f.
Using Pythagorean theorem:
f² = (ℓ/T)² + r²
f² − r² = (ℓ/T)²
(f − r) (f + r) = (ℓ/T)²
(S / t₁) (S / t₂) = (ℓ/T)²
S² / (t₁ t₂) = (ℓ/T)²
(t₁ t₂) / S² = (T/ℓ)²
√(t₁ t₂) / S = T/ℓ
T = ℓ√(t₁ t₂) / S
