From the given relation, we have W ∝ L^2. This means that W is directly proportional to L^2. We can write this as W = kL^2, where k is the constant of proportionality.
To find the value of k, we can use the given values of W and L. We have W = 6 when L = 4. Substituting these values in the equation above, we get:
6 = k(4^2)
6 = 16k
k = 6/16
k = 3/8
Now, we can use this value of k to find W when L = √17. Substituting these values in the equation W = kL^2, we get:
W = (3/8)(√17)^2
W = (3/8)(17)
W = 51/8
W = 6 3/8
Therefore, the answer is 6 3/8.