A cable is made of four parallel strands of different materials, all behaving according to the equation σ = Ke", where n = 0.3. The materials, strength coefficients and cross sections are as follows:

Material A: K = 450 MPa, A0 = 7 mm2

Material B: K = 600 MPa, A0 = 2.5 mm2

Material C: K = 300 MPa, Aa = 3 mm2

Material D: K = 760 MPa, A0 = 2 mm2

(a) Calculate the maximum tensile load that this cable can withstand prior to necking.

(b) Explain how you would arrive at an answer if the n values of the three strands were different from each other.