College Algebra, Chapter 3, 3.3, Section 3.3, Problem 50

To measure the gravitational attraction between the moon and an algebra student in a space ship located a distance $x$ above the moon's surface, we can use the Newton's Law of Gravitation $\displaystyle F(x) = \frac{350}{x^2}$ where $F$ is measured in Newton's (N) and $x$ is measured in millions of meters.

a.) Graph the function $F$ for values of $x$ between 0 and 10.







b.) Use the graph to describe the behavior of the gravitational attraction $F$ as the distance $x$ increases.

Since $x$ is inversely proportional to $F$, it shows from the graph that if $x$ increases, the gravitational attraction of the moon from the space ship decreases.