Rachel R.

asked • 11/18/21

[Calculus] The power to propel an airplane (or even a bird) forward at a velocity, v, (hence the velocity is positive)

I don't understand what I am supposed to do about this problem. If I could get some help that would be greatly appreciated.


It’s a plane; no, it’s a bird; no, it’s Superman! Actually, it’s just a bird. Birds and some fixed-wing aircraft follow a similar pattern to minimize power and energy during a flight.


The power to propel an airplane (or even a bird) forward at a velocity, v, (hence the velocity is positive) is P = Av3 (BL2/ v) where A and B are positive constants specific to the particular aircraft (or bird) and L is the lift, the upward force supporting the weight of the plane (or bird).


What is the implied domain of this function? Think about lower and upper bounds for velocity.

Mark M.

Hence the velocity is positive. Does that answer?
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11/18/21

Stanton D.

Not clear whether you have stated one equation or two. If the thing in parentheses is multiplying the Av^3, why are there powers of v separated in that way? I'm suspicious. If it is parallel power-required equations, that would imply an upper bound dictated by v^3 exceeding the bird's strength, and a lower bound dictated by the 1/v form, also exceeding the bird's strength. So: the bird falls out of the air from progressing too slowly, or the bird dies of exhaustion. Actually, there is a third possibility: the bird hits a window and falls (but, fortunately, usually they bounce off). -- Cheers, --Mr. d.
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11/19/21

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