Chapter 11, Problem 3P

To determine

To draw: A parabola that fits into a 6ft by 10ft rectangle on a lawn.

Explanation of Solution

As per the procedure given first draw a rectangle of 6ft by 10ft.

Divide the rectangle into two equal halves by a vertical line segment, and label the top endpoint as V. Next, divide the length and breadth of each half rectangle into 10 equal number of parts to form grid lines, as shown in below Figure 1.

Now draw line segments from V to the endpoints of horizontal grid line 1 and mark the points where these lines cross the vertical grid lines labeled 1 as shown below in Figure 2.

Next, draw lines from V to the endpoints of horizontal grid line 2. and mark the points where these lines cross the vertical grid lines labeled 2.

Continue in this way until you have used all the 10 horizontal grid lines.

Now use line segments to connect the points you have marked, the resulting curve looks like a parabola.

Thus, a parabola that fits into a 6ft by 10ft rectangle is obtained as shown below in Figure 3.

Thus, a parabola that fits into a 6ft by 10ft rectangle on a lawn is drawn and represented by Figure 3.