Q1 Mathematics-9 PeTa Output
Q1 Mathematics-9 PeTa Output
Q1 Mathematics-9 PeTa Output
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Saskatoon, also known as the "City of Bridges", is located on the banks of the South Saskatchewan River. The river is
crossed by seven bridges within the city limits. One of those bridges is the University Bridge. Construction on the
bridge commenced in 1913 allowing access to the newly opened university campus. It was three years later on
October 31, 1916 when the bridge was officially opened. The population at the time, according to a federal census,
was 21, 054 people.
By the mid 1960's the population of Saskatoon had grown to over 100 000 people. To ease the traffic congestion on
other roads, an underpass was constructed. The riverbank under the University Bridge was built up to accommodate
the new road.
Did the engineers who designed the underpass in the 60's allow for semi-trailer traffic?
1. The width of the roadway from the center of the double to the edge of the road is 29 feet.
2. The gutter of the road extends 13 feet from the outer edge of the road on either side. The endpoints of the
arch begin at the end of the gutter.
3. The center of the arch reaches to a height of 18 feet above the road.
4. The “Trucking Guide to Saskatchewan Weight and Dimension Regulations” (found on the Saskatchewan
Highways and Transportation web site) states that the legal dimensions for truck width and height are 8.5
feet and 13.5 feet respectively.
Will the semi described above be able to travel under this underpass?
PART I
The following is a picture of the University Bridge in Saskatoon. Below it, is a graphical representation of the
underpass under the bridge, made by placing the vertex on the y-axis.
(29, ?)
18’
(0, 0)
x
29’ 13’
1. What are the coordinates of the vertex of the underpass? __(0,18) is the vertex because it is the maximum point of
the parabola._____
7. Algebraically determine the function representing the parabolic arch of the University Bridge underpass in the
form . Be sure to prove your “a” value using algebra substitution.
y=a( x−0)²+18
0=a( 42−0)²+18
0=a(42)²+18
0=a(1764 )+18
0=1764 a+18
−18=1764 a
−18 1764 a
=
1764 1764
−1
=a
98
−1
y= (x−0)²+18
98
−1
Function: y= (x−0) ²+18
98
PART II
(29, ?)
18’
(0, 0)
x
29’ 13’
8. What is the maximum vehicle height that can pass under the arch at the outer edge of the roadway?
Demonstrate your answer algebraically.
−1 −1
y= ( x−0 )2+ 18= ( 29−0 )2 +18=9.42
98 98
9. is the underpass able to accommodate semi-truck and trailer units? Explain your answer. Include any limitations
that exist for the truck and trailer units to pass.
No, because the legal dimensions for a truck width and height are 8.5 feet and 13.5 feet. The limit for a truck to pass
width and height are 29 feet and 9.42 feet.