An aerodynamic profile for a glider wing is designed to be symmetric about the chord line (the xxx-axis). The upper boundary of the wing's cross-section is modelled by the parametric equations:
x=−1.5t2x = -1.5t^2x=−1.5t2 y=15t−0.75t2y = 15t - 0.75t^2y=15t−0.75t2
for 0≤t≤200 \le t \le 200≤t≤20, where xxx and yyy are measured in millimetres.
Determine the total length of the glider wing along the xxx-axis.
Obtain an expression for dydx\frac{dy}{dx}dxdy in terms of ttt.
Hence, prove that the maximum thickness (total width) of the wing is exactly one-quarter of its total length.
Practise Edexcel A Level Maths 9.7 Parametric Differentiation with exam-style questions for A Level Maths. 36 questions, matched to the Edexcel A Level Maths (9MA0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.