College

Vint is testing ceiling fans in a factory. For one of the tests, he switches the fan on, and after it attains a maximum speed of 500 rotations per minute (rpm), he switches the fan back off, recording the amount of time it takes for the fan to completely stop spinning.

The given equation models Vint's test, where [tex]x[/tex] represents time in seconds and [tex]y[/tex] represents the speed in rotations per minute:

[tex]y = -5x^2 + 100x[/tex]

The equation has been graphed as shown.

Answer :

To solve this problem, we need to analyze the given equation that models the speed of a ceiling fan during Vint's test. The equation provided is:

[tex]\[ y = -5x^2 + 100x \][/tex]

where [tex]\( y \)[/tex] represents the speed of the fan in rotations per minute (rpm), and [tex]\( x \)[/tex] represents time in seconds.

Step-by-step Solution:

1. Understanding the Equation:
- The equation is a quadratic function and represents a parabola that opens downwards (because the coefficient of [tex]\( x^2 \)[/tex] is negative).

2. Finding Key Features:
- Vertex: The vertex of this parabola will give us the time at which the fan reaches its maximum speed, which is the peak of the graph.
- Intercepts: Finding the x-intercepts will tell us when the fan speed is zero, i.e., when it starts and stops.

3. Finding the Vertex:
- The vertex of a quadratic equation [tex]\( ax^2 + bx + c \)[/tex] can be found using the formula:
[tex]\[
x = -\frac{b}{2a}
\][/tex]
- Here, [tex]\( a = -5 \)[/tex], [tex]\( b = 100 \)[/tex]. Substituting these values in:
[tex]\[
x = -\frac{100}{2 \times (-5)} = \frac{100}{10} = 10
\][/tex]
- At [tex]\( x = 10 \)[/tex] seconds, the fan reaches its maximum speed. To find that maximum speed, substitute [tex]\( x = 10 \)[/tex] back into the original equation:
[tex]\[
y = -5(10)^2 + 100(10) = -500 + 1000 = 500 \text{ rpm}
\][/tex]
- This confirms the maximum speed of the fan is 500 rpm, which is consistent with the problem statement.

4. Finding the x-intercepts:
- We solve for [tex]\( x \)[/tex] when [tex]\( y = 0 \)[/tex] to find out when the fan stops spinning.
[tex]\[
-5x^2 + 100x = 0
\][/tex]
- Factor the equation:
[tex]\[
x(-5x + 100) = 0
\][/tex]
- This gives us [tex]\( x = 0 \)[/tex] or [tex]\( -5x + 100 = 0 \)[/tex].
- Solving [tex]\( -5x + 100 = 0 \)[/tex] gives:
[tex]\[
-5x = -100 \Rightarrow x = 20
\][/tex]
- So, the fan stops spinning at [tex]\( x = 20 \)[/tex] seconds.

5. Conclusion:
- The fan reaches its maximum speed of 500 rpm at 10 seconds after being turned on.
- It comes to a complete stop at 20 seconds.

This detailed analysis shows the behavior of the fan during the test, aligning with the model's description using the given quadratic equation.