Chapter 2.2, Problem 36AYU

Effect of Elevation on Weight If an object weighs $m$ pounds at sea level, then its weight $W$ (in pounds) at a height of $h$ miles above sea level is given approximately by $W\left(h\right)=m{\left(\frac{4000}{4000+h}\right)}^2$

(a) If Amy weighs 120 pounds at sea level, how much will she weigh on Pikes Peak, which is 14,110 feet above sea level?

(b) Use a graphing utility to graph the function $W=W\left(h\right)$. Use $m=120$ pounds.

(c) Create a TABLE with $TblStart=0$ and $\Delta Tbl=0.5$ to see how the weight $W$ varies as $h$ changes from 0 to 5 miles.

(d) At what height will Amy weigh 119.95 pounds?

(e) Does your answer to part (d) seem reasonable? Explain.