The free breaking length needed is given by the equation:formula_9, where formula_13If one does not take into account the "x" factor (which reduces the strength needed by about 30%), this equation also says that the section ratio equals "e" (exponential one) when::formula_14If the material can support a free breaking length of only one tenth this, the section needed at a geosynchronous orbit will be "e"10 (a factor of 22026) times the ground section.