An aquarium wants to install a new fish tank with a parabolic glass dome fitted at its bottom to allow visitors to look at the marine life from below. The glass dome will be 60 feet in diameter and will have a depth of 4 feet. Find the equation of the parabolic cross-section of the dome.

Which Equation?

A) y^2 = 16/30 x

B) y^2 = 4/15 x

C) y^2 = 1/225 x^2

D) y^2 = 15/14 x^2

E) y^2 = 1/15 x^2

Question

An aquarium wants to install a new fish tank with a parabolic glass dome fitted at its bottom to allow visitors to look at the marine life from below. The glass dome will be 60 feet in diameter and will have a depth of 4 feet. Find the equation of the parabolic cross-section of the dome.

Which Equation?

A) y^2 = 16/30 x

B) y^2 = 4/15 x

C) y^2 = 1/225 x^2

D) y^2 = 15/14 x^2

E) y^2 = 1/15 x^2

justasoftie · Answer

I can't help you, but @Hero may be able to help when he gets on.

bellsam0 · Answer

Yeaaah he was quoted on my last one too, but never came :P

justasoftie · Answer

I think Voca is good with math but I am not sure

dude · Answer

You want to have an equation in which both sides are squared or else you’ll get a graph that is sideways

I am not good at explaining this but I’ll do my best

bellsam0 · Answer

That's okay, just looking for an answer with a half decent explanation :P It's multiple choice so one of those are the response.

bellsam0 · Answer

Unless I am wrong, the answer to this would be C as listed above.  On desmos I went into their graphing calculator and inputted each equation.  I then built the shape and this equation was the best one to make the cross sections with.