text: EFFECT OF TAPER AND SWEEPBACK 
  
  The aspect ratio of a wing is the primary 
  factor 
  the three-dimensional 
  characteristics of the ordinary wing and its 
  drag due to lift. However, certain local effects 
  take place throughout the span of the wing and 
  these effects are due to the distribution of area 
  throughout the span. The distribution of lift 
  along the span of a wing cannot have sharp 
  (Nature just doesn’t arrange 
  discontinuities. 
  sharp discontinuities.) 
  natural 
  The typical 
  is arranged in 
  some elliptical fashion. A representative dis- 
  tribution of the lift per foot of span along the 
  scan of a wing is shown in figure 1.32. 
  
  in determining 
  
  The natural distribution of lift along the 
  span of a wing provides a basis for appreciating 
  the effect of area distribution and taper along 
  is 
  the span.  If the elliptical  lift distribution 
  
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