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math help-pre calc functions
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:30 pm
by JonathanBelles
1. find a formula that expresses that area A of an equilateral triangle as a function of the length S of a side.
2. Express the perimeter P of a square as a function of its area A.
3. Express the surface area S of a sphere as a function of its volume V.
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:45 pm
by Derek Ortt
1. S= length of a side
.5S^2 (just apply the triangle forumla, that one took about 2.5 seconds to figure out
3. A=dv/dr (it happens that the surface area is the derivative of the volume)
a=4*pi*r^2=(3*V)/r
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:47 pm
by whereverwx
Problem #49 on
this website may help you with #2. In addition, also search the PDF for small words or phrases, since there are quite a few problems on there.
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:50 pm
by JonathanBelles
1. area of an equilateral triangle is ((root 3)s^2)/4
how is your answere a function>
im lost
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 2:51 pm
by tropicana
i wish i were a math wizard

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:27 pm
by wxmann_91
Derek Ortt wrote:3. A=dv/dr (it happens that the surface area is the derivative of the volume)
a=4*pi*r^2=(3*V)/r
I don't think fact knows calc yet (he's in Precalc).
Anyhow...he's the algebra way to do it...I love MathType
EDIT: In retrospect, that may not be a function. I'll look over it again...
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:40 pm
by wxmann_91
Derek Ortt wrote:1. S= length of a side
.5S^2 (just apply the triangle forumla, that one took about 2.5 seconds to figure out
#1 is incorrect. Base is different from height.

Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:48 pm
by JonathanBelles
no i havent taken calc yet. i still dont get #1
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 5:49 pm
by wxmann_91
fact789 wrote:no i havent taken calc yet. i still dont get #1
What about it is confusing you, fact?
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:18 pm
by JonathanBelles
according to my pre calc book the area of an equilateral triangle is (root3*s^2)/4
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:31 pm
by wxmann_91
fact789 wrote:according to my pre calc book the area of an equilateral triangle is (root3*s^2)/4
Isn't that what I have? Change the b to an s and place the variable in the numerator.
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 6:33 pm
by JonathanBelles
so (root3*s^2)/4 is the answer?
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 7:58 pm
by wxmann_91
yes...that one's the easiest one.
Other two are a bit more tricky. Calamity's link has the second one, but for the third one, I'm not so sure I am right since that's not a function. I'm pretty sure the process has something to do with eliminating r. Maybe try solving both equations for r (w/o r in both sides) and then setting them equal to each other, finally simplifying.
Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 10:59 pm
by Derek Ortt
strike what I said about one... major brain freeze, height is not the same as the base, use the 30/60/90 triangle relation to get the height in terms of the base
Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 6:54 am
by Skyhawk
2. For a square, the the length of a side is the square root of the area, s = A^1/2; therefore P = 4*(A^1/2)
3. Solve the volume formula for r, r = (3*V/4*Pi)^1/3. Then SA = 4*pi*r^2. Substitute for r and simplify.
Back in the "dark ages" when I went to school we didn't have such pretentious names for these courses such as precalculus. We just called it algebra, rather simple algebra at that.