In a science fiction movie, astronomers track a large incoming asteroid and predict that it will strike Earth with disastrous results. Suppose a certain latitude of Earth's surface is modeled by x2 + y2 = 40 and the path of the asteroid is modeled by x 0.25y2 + 5.
a. Graph the two equations on the same axes.
b. Will the asteroid strike Earth? If so, what are the coordinates of the point of impact?
c. Describe this situation with parametric equations. Assume both the asteroid and Earth's surface are moving counterclockwise.
d. Graph the equations found in part c using a graphing calculator. Use a window that shows complete graphs of both Earth's surface and the asteroid's path.