Late to reply, but if you are still interested... I think they mean simply increases in size.
One of the limitations on how large cells can grow is the surface area to volume ratio. The word ratio is the key.
I think I figured it out!
so, I think:
L2 = (L-y)2 + x2
L2-x2 = (L-y)2
(L2-x2)1/2 = L - y
-(L2-x2)1/2 = - L + y
L -(L2-x2)1/2 = y
I think that's it! Having to crop a picture for this question made me focus only on the variables I needed in the diagram.
I see the solution now is...
Homework Statement
Show that the relation between the horizontal and vertical components of the ball's position is given by the equation: y = L - [(L^2 - x^2)^1/2]
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94066958@N08/8553595522/in/photostream/
Homework Equations
y = L - [(L^2 - x^2)^1/2]...