A tunnel has height, h, (in metres) given by h=14-x^2 where x is the horizontal distance from the centre of the tunnel. Find the cross sectional area of the tunnel. Also find the maximum height of a truck passing through the tunnel that is 4m wide.

Firstly, solve 0=14-x^2 to find the horisontal distance to the edges of the tunnel. x1=sqrt(14), x2= -sqrt(14).

Integrate h=14-x^2 between x1 and x2 28*sqrt(14) -(2(sqrt(14)^3))/3. This is the required area

Next, the center of the tunnel is the heighest point so we would place the center of the truck here. Threfore, the edges of the truck are at x=2 and x=-2. The height of the tunnel here is 14-(2^2) = 14-((-2)^2) = 14-4 = 10. Therefore 10 is the max height.

JG
Answered by James G. Maths tutor

7927 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is differentiation and integration?


How to integrate ln(x)


What is the second derivative used for?


Solve the equation 3^(5x-2)=4^(6-x), and show that the solution can be written in the form log10(a)/log10(b).


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning