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Putnam 1957 A2

Source: Putnam 1957

July 1, 2022
Putnamphysicsexponential

Problem Statement

Let a>1.a>1. A uniform wire is bent into a form coinciding with the portion of the curve y=exy=e^x for x∈[0,a]x\in [0,a], and the line segment y=eay=e^a for x∈[a−1,a].x\in [a-1,a]. The wire is then suspended from the point (a−1,ea)(a-1, e^a) and a horizontal force FF is applied to the point (0,1)(0,1) to hold the wire in coincidence with the curve and segment. Show that the force FF is directed to the right.
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