The air resistance R(in pounds) on a racing cyclist is given by the equation R=0.00829s^2 where s is the bicycle's speed (in miles per hour).

Question

a. What is the speed of a racing cyclist who experiences 5 pounds of air resistance?

b. What happens to the air resistance if the cyclist's speed doubles? How would I justify the answer for b algebraically?

Answer 1

a. R = 0.00829s^2 = 5Lbs
s^2 = 603.14
s = 24.6 mi/h.

b. R = 0.008299*(2s)^2 = 4*0.00829s^2
The resistance increases by a factor of 4.