According to one model of bird flight, the power consumed by a pigeon flying at velocity `v` (in m/s) is `P(v)=17v^-1 +10^-3*v^3` . Find the...

The function is obviously defined only for `v gt 0` and is continuously differentiable on this interval. When `v` approaches zero the function tends to `+oo,` when v tends to `+oo,` the function also tends to `+oo.`

Thus it must have at least one local (and global) minimum and it is reached at the point(s) where `P'(x) = 0.` Let's solve this equation:

`P'(x) = -17 v^-2 + 3*10^-3*v^2 = 0.`

This is equivalent to `17 v^-2 = 3*10^-3*v^2,` or `v^4 = 17/3*10^3.`

The only solution is `v = root(4)(17/3*10^3) approx` 8.7 (m/s). This is the answer.

Comments

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