An engineer uses a bolt to connect a joint. The force provided by the bolt F is a function of the external load P that it must bear. The bolt applies a force of 200 lb against an external load of 100 lb. The same bolt must apply a force of 400 lb against an external load of 600 lb. Find the joint constant C, and preload Fi (in lb), that satisfies the linear equation describing the force, F = CP + Fi.

F = P +

To find the joint constant C and preload Fi that satisfy the linear equation, we can use the given information.

We are given two scenarios:

Scenario 1:
F = 200 lb
P = 100 lb

Scenario 2:
F = 400 lb
P = 600 lb

Using the linear equation F = CP + Fi, we can substitute the values from the two scenarios to form a system of equations:

Equation 1:
200 = C * 100 + Fi

Equation 2:
400 = C * 600 + Fi

Now, we need to solve this system of equations to find the values of C and Fi that satisfy both equations.

To do this, we can use a method such as substitution or elimination. However, in this case, we will use the elimination method.

To eliminate the Fi term, we can subtract Equation 1 from Equation 2:

(400 - 200) = (C * 600 - C * 100) + (Fi - Fi)

Simplifying, we have:

200 = 500C

Now, we divide both sides by 500 to solve for C:

C = 0.4

We have found the value of C as 0.4.

To find the preload Fi, we can substitute this value of C into one of the original equations, such as Equation 1:

200 = 0.4 * 100 + Fi

Simplifying, we have:

200 = 40 + Fi

Subtracting 40 from both sides, we get:

Fi = 160

Therefore, the joint constant C is 0.4 and preload Fi is 160 lb.