In an investigation by V. A. Tucker and K. Schmidt-Koenig,* it was determined that the energy E expended by a bird in flight varies with the speed v (km/hr) of the bird. For a particular kind of parakeet, the energy expenditure changes at a rate given by

where E is given in joules per gram mass per kilometer. Observations indicate that the parakeet tends to fly at the speed v_min that minimizes E.

a. What is the most economical speed v_min?

b. Suppose that when the parakeet flies at the most economical speed v_min its energy expenditure is E_min. Use this information to find E(v) for v > 0 in terms of E_min.

Transcribed Image Text:

dE dv 0.31²-471.75 1² 2 for v> 0