Math Problem Statement

Samantha is riding a bike along a circular track. The track has a radius of 50 meters, and she rides along an arc that covers an angle of 240 degrees. How far does Samantha ride along the arc?

Solution

To calculate the distance Samantha rides along the arc, we use the formula for the length of an arc in a circle:

L=rθL = r \theta

Where:

  • LL is the arc length (the distance Samantha rides),
  • rr is the radius of the circle,
  • θ\theta is the central angle of the arc in radians.

Step 1: Convert the angle from degrees to radians

To convert 240 degrees to radians, we use the conversion factor:

1=π180 radians1^\circ = \frac{\pi}{180} \text{ radians}

Thus,

θ=240×π180=4π3 radians\theta = 240^\circ \times \frac{\pi}{180} = \frac{4\pi}{3} \text{ radians}

Step 2: Use the arc length formula

Now that we have θ=4π3\theta = \frac{4\pi}{3} radians and the radius r=50r = 50 meters, we can calculate the arc length:

L=50×4π3=200π3L = 50 \times \frac{4\pi}{3} = \frac{200\pi}{3}

Step 3: Approximate the value

Using π3.1416\pi \approx 3.1416, we get:

L200×3.14163209.44 metersL \approx \frac{200 \times 3.1416}{3} \approx 209.44 \text{ meters}

Conclusion:

Samantha rides approximately 209.44 meters along the arc.

Would you like further clarification or additional details?

Here are some related questions to explore:

  1. What is the total circumference of the track?
  2. How long would Samantha ride if the angle were 360 degrees?
  3. How would the arc length change if the radius were doubled?
  4. What is the formula for arc length if the angle is in degrees instead of radians?
  5. How could this concept apply to real-life scenarios, such as driving around a curved road?

Tip: Remember that radians and degrees are just different ways to measure angles, and they are interchangeable using the conversion π radians=180\pi \text{ radians} = 180^\circ.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Geometry
Circular motion
Arc length
Angle conversion

Formulas

Arc length formula: L = rθ
Degree to radian conversion: θ (radians) = θ (degrees) × π / 180

Theorems

Radian measure of an angle

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11